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Published the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month | Vol. 27, Issue 12
June 17, 2022 | $1.00
A&M Hardware passes the torch Public to the next generation on July 1 hearings
are set
Chelsea Miller BSP Reporter
Anthony Mirto, co-founder and owner of A&M Hardware in Accord for the past 40 years, is passing the hardware torch to his son, Jeremy Mirto, who is purchasing the business. Anthony moved from Amityville, Long Island, in 1969. “When Martin Luther King died there were a lot riots and so we decided to move out,” he explains. He arrived in the area with his then wife, Michele, and, as Anthony says, got handy. Michele’s father was in the hardware business, and they started helping out around the shop. With the help of Michele’s father (who was in hardware his entire life – even in retirement he sold at flea markets) they opened their first hardware store and stared small, running a yard sale and flea market, which eventually grew into a full-fledged hardware store. Jeremy recalls how different the business was growing up as opposed to today. “My parents started small, loading up a van with merchandise. When I was a kid we used to drive to local wholesalers and we would fill up our 15-person van to the brim with merchandise. That’s how it started out before trucks.” The business continued to grow until in 1994, when there was a catastrophic fire that burned the old location to the ground. “The whole community turned out and helped,” says Jeremy. “And in a way, it a good thing. The new building has so much more infrastructure to handle the volume, and we built back better than ever.” Anthony’s wife, Kim Mirto, says that some of the secrets of their success include making sure the store was stocked with what people needed and customer service. “Anthony has worked really hard to make sure people have what they are looking for, from nuts and bolts all the way up. We’ve made a lot of friends who started as customers over the years because Anthony has always taken customer service very seriously.” Jeremey elaborates that in a time of big box stores, it’s even more important to focus on this essential part of what has made the business great: hometown, personal service. “The store is definitely the underdog for big box and Amazon, and we are obviously going to have a hard time competing with price, so we need to be able to offer things they can’t. Big box stores or Amazon isn’t going know all the names of kids who shop with their
Stories from dads about being a dad PAGE 16
CPP program funded by proposed real estate tax Brooke Stelzer BSP Reporter
Anthony Mirto, Jeremy’s father and cofounder of the business, with Kelly Mirto, Jeremy’s wife, Nora Mirto, their daughter, and Jeremy Mirto, the new owner.
parents, or sponsor the soccer team. They won’t take them down aisles to find the right tool or product and help their customers understand what else they might need to make it all work. Our small-town, friendly expertise is our edge. We have really helpful and knowledgeable employees who share our value that customer service is the most important thing of all.” Jeremy, who officially assumes ownership on July 1, majored in economics in college but quickly realized that he would never want to work behind a desk or in a cubical. He returned to the family hardware store in 2006 before starting his own company, Reliable Energy Solutions, which offers an array of energy solutions from home generators, heat pumps and high-efficiency heating systems. His business continues successfully today, and so the question becomes, why add a booming hardware store into the mix? “It’s about the hardware store,” says Jeremy simply. “It’s been there for 40 years, and I don’t want to see it go to anyone else.” He is proud to be continuing the family tradition and says he has high hopes for his portion of the legacy. “There is a lot of room for growth,” explains Jeremy. “During the pandemic
we were busier than ever as people began to homestead and take on small projects themselves. Home improvement is a fountain that is waiting to be tapped, and we’re going to expand our garden section. And, as always, we’re going to keep building on stock to make sure people have everything they need, by maximizing the space we have.” And family and community, as always, will stay at the center of it all. “I hope to continue to build this business, and maybe someday my daughter will want to take it over. We’re a cornerstone to the community and we want to continue to be the go-to for a lot of things. Hardware needs, yes, but also camping gear, jellies, maple syrup, and even toys. There’s a lot more to a local hardware store than just hardware.” A&M Hardware is at 5000 Route 209 in Accord. For more information, stop by and say hello, call 845-626-2788 or visit www. AMhardware.doitbest.com.
July 4th Marbletown Road Run marks 50th PAGE 11
The Marbletown Town Board meeting was held on June 7, in person at the Rondout Municipal Building, 1925 Lucas Turnpike, Cottekill, and streamed on Facebook Live. Town board members present included Rich Parete, chairman and town supervisor, along with Tim Hunt, Daisy Foote and Ken Davenport. Councilman Don LaFera was not present. The board passed three resolutions to move forward with the proposed Community Preservation Plan (CPP), a program funded by a one-time real estate transfer tax (known as RET) to homebuyers in the area, at a percentage chosen by the town, with a 2% cap. The funds will be used to protect and preserve natural, scenic, historic and open spaces in the community. Similar CPPs are active in communities like Warwick, Red Hook and New Paltz. Resolution 58 was passed, which scheduled a public hearing as it relates to adopting the Community Preservation Plan. The Town Board will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, to hear all interested parties on the proposed CPP. Resolution 59 was also passed, which sets the public hearing for establishment of the CPP and its advisory board. The public hearing will also be held on June 21, at 6:05 p.m. The recommendation is that the board consists of five to seven people, each who have demonstrated conservation or preservation experiences. Ted Fink, community planner with GREENPLAN, said it’s strongly encouraged that there be at least one farmer appointed to the board. Resolution 60 set the public hearing for the real estate transfer tax to be set at 1%, which is the proposed percentage set by the town. The public hearing will also be held on June 21, at 6:10 p.m. “It can be rolled into the mortgage, and also tax-deductible when you sell the property,” said Parete.
See CPP, page 5
'Spongy moths' from caterpillars are back PAGE 3
Page 2, June April 17, 15,2022, 2022,BlueStone BlueStonePress Press
Soup for all Tell us about how and why you came to this area. I moved here from Rochester, New York, in 1989. A friend was attending school here, and after visiting, I decided to move here. The mountains and nature are so special and really drew me in. I began working at Mohonk, and spent a lot of time hiking, swimming and rock climbing there.
way to help feed people in the community. This allowed me to distribute soups to people sick with Covid or living in temporary housing, as well as stock up the free refrigerators in Kingston. This was made possible by share donations, as a way to provide healthy and mostly organic meals to the community. I want to thank the supporters who made this happen, as well as the delivery people.
Q&A
What kind of work you do? Visit the folks doRecently I began next door working at the Accord Market as the store buyer. I'm lucky to have a job serving the community and helping to provide healthy, delicious food to the neighborhood. I enjoy connecting with farmers and makers and prioritize local and regional products. I also have a catering/personal chef business that I have worked on for the past 10 years, as well as a soup CSA. After a recent cooking break, I am back to soup making for the Accord Market, served up as a lunch option. Tell us about your soup CSA? I had served food at the High Falls Food Co-op for over 10 years, and soups were
Cari Heberger Age: 52 Profession: Grocery buyer/food provider Town: High Falls
one of my specialties. Last fall I decided to try out the CSA model incorporating produce from my garden and the adjacent farms. People could buy shares and receive a weekly soup or two, with other dinners and salads and quiches as add-on options. I also added a solidarity share, which members purchased as a
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What are your interests or hobbies? My interests are varied, and I love to spend as much time as possible in my yard and garden with my cat nearby. I feel lucky to pick fresh strawberries and nettles and lemon balm right outside my door! I live next to High Falls Farm with organic farms, ducks, sheep and chickens as my neighbors. What do you look forward to in the future? This past year, the pandemic showed me the power of people helping people within mutual aid groups in the area. So amazing and inspiring to see people filling the free fridges, sharing produce, prepared meals and groceries, doing supply drives. I hope that we can all continue this and find ways to help or ask for help when needed in our daily lives. -Compiled by Jeff Slater, BSP Reporter
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BlueStone Press, June 17, 2022, Page 3
Tree-munching caterpillar alert
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A homeowner, if they have spongy moth on their property, there are a few things they can do, such as using sticky bands or burlap bags wrapped around the trunks, says Forester Cole Ann Belmont BSP Reporter There have been years in the Hudson Valley when there are so many of them in the forest canopy that you can hear them munching leaves, years when the oaks of the Shawangunks have been so defoliated that the middle of summer looks like early spring. When you see tiny leaf bits drifting down on the street, you are walking under a vast horde of the creatures, eating, eating, eating. Most of us are used to calling them gypsy moths and, in larval stage, tent caterpillars, but biologists have adopted the term “spongy moth.” Rob Cole, a forester for the DEC, held a mini press conference this spring to talk about them and the DEC's efforts to keep them under control. “Their preferred host are broadleaf trees such as oak trees, which have the ability to put out a new set of leaves after they’re defoliated," he said. "Spongy moth defoliation doesn’t kill the trees usually in one season; it will take a couple of years." A post on the NYS DEC website explains, “Spongy moth caterpillars eat young, tender leaves in the spring. Deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves each fall) can regrow a new set of leaves by July and can usually withstand two to three successive years of defoliation without being killed. However, defoliation does reduce the vigor and resistance of the tree … death can occur when other stresses such as disease or other insect outbreaks attack trees in the same year. When populations of spongy moths are very high, or when oak and other preferred trees are limited, they will even eat evergreen species including pine, spruce and hemlock. Evergreens do not regrow leaves as easily as deciduous trees and can die as a result of complete defoliation.” (June 25, 2021) Sounds grim, but spongy moth populations wax and wane. “Typically spongy moth outbreaks will last two to three years and we can go 10 to 15 years in between,” said Cole. Forests will survive, though individual trees may die. Animals that eat lots of acorns – squirrels, chipmunks, black bears – will suffer, at least in the short term. “ Last year, we had a couple of areas hit pretty hard,” said Cole. “The eastern Adirondacks along the Northway from Saratoga County all the way up to Clinton
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Spongy Moth Photo by Jenn Forman Orth
County, the Mohawk Valley, and then the Finger Lakes were defoliated pretty bad for a second year in a row … We’re expecting this year to be another big year of defoliation.” Because of these repeated outbreaks, the DEC made the decision to spray a pesticide on some state forest land and state parks in May. “Those areas were chosen because they contain high value ecosystems where rare, threatened or endangered animals and plants live and need that ecosystem to survive,” said Cole. “The product that DEC is using for its treatments this year is called Gypcheck, which was developed by the U.S. Forest Service. It’s a virus that’s specific to the spongy moth. In areas where it’s applied it is considered very effective.” (Gypcheck is designed to target spongy moths alone, and doesn’t affect any other insects or animals.) “Spongy moth has a number of natural predators [but] this year, we decided, because last year was such a heavy defoliation year, that we couldn’t risk being defoliated again. However, outbreaks usually only last two to three years, so we don’t treat regularly because the outbreak will end on its own.” Thankfully, shrews, white-footed mice and some birds will eat the moths and even their larvae, which are not easy to digest. This year, so far the worst infestations are again happening to our north, in the Adirondacks, Capitol District, and in western NYS. That said, local resident (and BSP cartoonist) Bruce Sconzo reported recently, “I have been out killing them daily on my apple trees.” If your trees are being eaten by caterpillars, there are ways to help them. Forester Cole again: “A homeowner, if they have spongy moth on their property, there are a few things they can do, such as using sticky bands or burlap bags wrapped around the trunks of their trees to catch the spongy moths as they crawl up and down the tree. If you’re a larger landowner, aerial applications [of a targeted pesticide] are available through a certified applicator.” For more information about spongy moths and how to control their numbers, go to dec.ny.gov, or search online for "NYS-DEC spongy moth" to get directly to the DEC info page.
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Page 4, June 17, 2022, BlueStone Press
Briefs Volunteer open house and celebration at Rosendale Theatre Join in, meet other volunteers, and learn about the opportunities to help the Rosendale Theatre at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 26, at the theater, 408 Main St., Rosendale. Help is needed for shift positions for the box office, concessions and ushering; backstage crew, committees, programming, operations, development and marketing where skills in social media, graphic design, video editing and data entry are wanted. Mimosas will be served at this open house event. For more information, visit rosendaletheatre.org, call 845-658-8989 and/or email carrie@rosendaletheatre.org.
Sign up your 4th grader for the Gander band program At the end of each school year these three Rondout Valley School District band directors, left to right, Darryl Schoonmaker, Jason Clinton and Randolph Loder, visit Kerhonkson and Marbletown elementary schools. They meet with the current third grade and show the youngsters what instrument options are available for them next year if they choose to join the fourth-grade band program. Is your child interested in playing an instrument in the award-winning fourth grade band program? Email Schoonmaker at dschoonmaker@k12.ny.us by the end of the school year.
New gas station approved ... and other matters before the Rochester Planning Board Subdivisions move along, Local Law D discussed, including landfill ban Ann Belmont BSP reporter After many months of process, Lucky Petroleum Inc. got the green light from the Rochester Planning Board for its site plan to rebuild the old gas station across from Kerhonkson's Little League field (6101-6117 Route 209). An old convenience store there is being torn down and will be replaced by a new, 2,900-squarefoot building that will house a Dunkin’ Donuts with drive-thru service as well as a convenience store. A second 5,500-square-foot existing structure (with a laundromat in the rear) will get an exterior makeover so the two buildings will have the same look. Besides three new two-sided gas pumps, there will be four EV charging stations in the back. The two-family house on the 3-acre site will remain. The old underground gas tanks will be replaced. Outside lights will be dimmed after 11 p.m. Construction can't start until the highway department signs off on the plans for the drive-thru, sidewalks, parking lot and additional street trees; the health department has to sign off on water and septic; but the site plan was OK'd at the Planning Board's monthly meeting on June 13. “You have your approval. We’re going to miss you!” joked board chair Rick Jones. Gail and Andrew Kenneda's application for a two-lot subdivision on Upper Whitfield Road also received approval
that night. A new 2-acre lot will be split off from their existing 15-acre parcel. There were two main conditions to the approval: One, that an engineer confirm that the new lot had an adequate water supply; and two, that there be no further subdivision of the land in the future. The four-lot subdivision known as Honeycomb Hills, which has been under review for several months, had its SEQR (environmental impact) reading. The 24-acre site at the end of Beehive Road contains a stream, a spring and wetlands, and also a swale that the board deemed a source of potential drainage problems. The board asked that the LLC's final site plan show how the swale will be maintained, and by whom; also, construction of homes near the water features has to be managed for erosion and stormwater, the board stressed. A final decision will be read next month, conditional to some amendments to the site plan, including a “drainage profile.” An exception to the six-month landuse moratorium affecting subdivisions greater that two lots was made for a company called Wild Lands, because its application was begun in November 2020 and never withdrawn. The application, originally for two lots, is now for a five-lot subdivision. (Note: This company has no connection with the Wildlands Project or ReWild, a national organization.) A representative for Wild Lands got some initial advice from the board for what will be probably be an ongoing review in the coming months. After the application reviews, the board
discussed Local Law D. The town council asked the board for comment on this proposed law, which adds some prohibitions on land use in Rochester. “This seems to be about oil and gas exploration,” remarked Jones. “They’re starting to go through the [zoning] code,” explained member Maren Lindstrom. “We’re going to be getting a lot of these.” (During the moratorium, the zoning review committee's recommendations will be examined one by one.) “Chop shops” that dismantle old computers and other electronics would be prohibited. Jones wanted to add fracking; though it’s illegal in New York state, he wanted to add an extra layer of protection. Local Law D would also prohibit Ulster County from creating any more landfills in the Town of Rochester (there is one near the transfer station that's been covered over). Member Sam Zarofsky disagreed with that. “I do not support prohibitions of uses that we all contribute to. We all generate garbage ... My concern is that if every town in New York state says you can’t have a landfill, then we all need to stop producing garbage.” The county doesn’t own any big parcels of land it could use for a landfill in Rochester anyway, someone said. “I’m sure there’s somebody out there, if they were offered enough money, they would sell it,” returned Jones.
BlueStone Press, June 17, 2022, Page 5
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CPP from page 1 He said the town ran hypothetical numbers based on home sales in 2021 at a .5% tax rate. The town would have received $209,000 in funds from the one-time tax. Homes for sale at $320,000, which is the median Ulster County sale price, are exempt from the tax. The board debated the proposed CPP, with councilman Ken Davenport kicking off the conversation. “I’m looking at this from a completely different point of view,” said Davenport. “Protecting an economy and a town … and when I look back through time, in 1980 when I entered high school and New York had 41 electoral votes, and I look in the last election and we had 29 … This growth and this challenge that we have, this balance that everyone is talking about, I think we have gone very far the other way to protect everything, and it’s pretty obvious that we aren’t keeping up with the Joneses, and people are leaving, or are not growing at the rate of the rest of the country. That’s a very large concern to me because the affordability of this community … because when people get all that they think they want, they’re not going to be able to afford to live here. That’s my theory.” Councilwoman Daisy Foote countered that the town shouldn’t be thinking of protecting open space and creating affordable housing as mutually exclusive, but rather as hand-in-hand. “You’re talking about going in and every piece of property is going to be available for open space. I don’t think you can look at it that way,” said Foote. “I think what you’re looking at is you have an inventory that you’re creating in order to, as the state
law requires us, in order for the process to be fair and open, to identify those properties. We want to make sure that we create a community that isn’t overwhelmed by building and not overwhelmed by open space. It’s a balance, I agree with you, but give ourselves the resources to protect those things.” “Ken and I have had this conversation, and a good conversation,” Foote continued, “And we come at it from different points of view. I appreciate it because you’ve made me think about certain things like the money … you know I do worry about going forward, how choices are going to be made.” On May 24, Tim Fink, community planner from GREENPLAN, and GIS analyst Rick Lederer-Barnes from Upstate GIS presented their findings to the Community Preservation Task Force to help educate, inform and guide the proposed CPP in Marbletown. Fink presented findings based on analysis of nearly 3,900 parcels in Marbletown, which were broken down into eight categories and visually presented as eight separate maps. The eight categories are: drinking water resources, wildlife habitats, forests and woodlands, streams and wetlands, recreation and trails, scenic areas, historic and cultural resources, and agricultural resources. Fink also combined the maps for one large composite overlay, highlighting high, medium, and low-priority areas, which derive from a point-based scoring system. Each parcel can be scored up to 11 points, and any parcel with one point or higher is indicated on the map. “You may look at a parcel and say, ‘There’s no way anything useful will ever be done with this.’ But you never know, you might have a trail that needs to get from point A to point B. Or create an ease-
ment across the back of the parking lot,” said Lederer-Barnes. “Is it fair to say our zoning is more like a guide toward what we want to preserve, and then use of the fund is how we’re able to protect those things?” asked Foote. “The zoning is the guide but also very specific for types of land uses that can be conversed in the town,” said Fink. “The only way you can go about protecting resources effectively is the conservation subdivision regulations, but that still allows developments to happen. [For example], if it’s a ground water resource, make sure the new land uses that could contaminate are taken out of the equation. Zoning will not do that. It doesn’t remove them. They’re still there and there are still potential for impacts on the ground water.” “I think it might actually help zoning because it gives you another layer of information and you can revise zoning,” said CPP Task Force member Marian Martinez. “So, it supports the plan and also allows the right development in the right spot.” The Task Force agreed the Executive Summary of the Plan will be adjusted to clarify that ‘high priority’ or highly scored properties are simply a transparent guide and tool for evaluating properties, not a hard and fast priority list for acquisition. Dale Robbins, who is leading the Community Preservation Task Force, clarified that this rating system also doesn’t address everything in the process, such as, if the property is for sale or for development, is there a benefit of connecting adjacent properties? And if that is more important than isolating a property, if there is development nearby and if there is any benefit to adding properties to existing public facilities? “The town will gather community input for the selection of a parcel,” said Robbins. “For instance, if there's a big concern about clean drinking water, a parcel that
would allow an aquifer to recharge would be considered more important although it may not have scored high in all the categories. If the town was looking for a recreation space, other factors would be more important, like proximity to town or scenic value. If preserving agriculture were the priority, conservation easements would be sought as a way to ensure continued local farming. Finally, only willing landowners would have their land conserved – it's a completely voluntary process.” Community member Sharon Klein asked if anyone on the call could speak about any unidentified consequences of the CPP, that may bring up other objections from the public in the future. “I can tell you about some of the things I have encountered,” said Fink. “The New York State Association of Realtors takes an active role in opposing these CPPs. [However], I’ve found in many cases where local realtors are supportive, because they understand the value in protecting what it is that what attracts people to a community in the first place, why somebody would want to invest in a community, because they’ve fallen in love with that community because it’s got historic houses and it’s got beautiful farmland and beautiful view and natural resources.” Fink also warned about misinformation getting out into the public about how the funds will be used. Councilman Hunt asked Fink how the percentages were set for each community he’s worked with in the past, up to 2%, and what he might recommend for Marbletown. Fink said he believed the percentage set by the towns was mostly a political decision but didn’t believe anyone had chosen the 2% cap. (Marbletown has chosen to vote on a 1% RET.) “In terms of the success of the program,”
See CPP, page 14
Page 6, June 17, 2022, BlueStone Press
RV Board of Education board positions vote explained Amber Kelly BSP Reporter The Board of Education election on Tuesday, May 17, had four seats up for election. Term of office is three years. The following vacancies expire on June 30, 2022, and need to be filled: term of Elissa Jury, term of Christopher DePew, term of Dawn Van Kleeck; as well as the one-year term of Breanna Casey, who resigned last month, expiring June 30, 2023. The election Candidates for the BOE must be at least 18 years old, literate, qualified voters in the Rondout Valley Central School District and must have been residents of the district continuously for one year before the election. Petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education of the Rondout Valley Central School District were available online at Rondout.k12.ny.us and at the District Office, Kyserike Road, Accord, beginning on March 18, 2022. Completed petitions, with the signatures of 25 qualified district voters, had to be filed with the clerk of the district no later than 5 p.m. Monday, April 18, 2022. The only name on the ballot was board president Dawn Van Kleeck. The three other positions on which to vote were blank. Several local individuals scrambled to let contacts know about their interest in serving on the board. With the large number of write-in ballots, it took extra time to count all the votes. The results of the vote came in at the crack of dawn on May 19: Dawn Van Kleeck received 611votes; Christine Kelder, 199; Dr. Alan Roberts, 161; and Dean Rylewicz, 107. On May 18, RVSD announced a big thankyou to the community members of the school district who participated in that day’s school budget vote and school board election, saying that the school budget passed with a vote of 681 to 279, and the proposition to establish a Capital Reserve passed with a vote of 657 to 295.
Otho-Bionomy lecture with Samuel Claiborne Join the community to learn about Ortho-Bionomy, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 16, at the Marbletown Community Center, 3564 Main St., Stone Ridge. The event will feature several live, interactive demonstrations with the help of audience members, and extensive question-and-answer sessions. Samuel Claiborne, facilitator of the event, presented by the Holistic Health Community, has been doing shamanic and healing work since childhood using several modalities he was born with. He has been studying and using Ortho-Bionomy, a descendant of osteopathy, founded by Dr. Arthur Lincoln Pauls, in his practice since 2009. Claiborne defines Ortho-Bionomy as “physical and energetic modeling to the physical and emotional bodes, of their own misalignments and constrictions so that they may self-correct.” He defines his practice as “co-creative, intuitive, gentle, respectful, spiritual yet grounded in neurophysiology, suitable for everything from a broken soul to a broken heart to a broken arm.” Visit hvhealing.com for more on Samuel Claiborne Co-creative Healing. There is no charge for services, however, sacred reciprocity is encouraged by donating, through volunteer service or by an act of loving kindness toward someone in need. For information, visit holistichealthcommunity.org or call 845-867-7008.
High Falls Brewery turned hair salon and two HF houses being built Amber Kelly BSP Reporter The Town of Marbletown Planning Board meeting on June 13 was at the Rondout Municipal Center and on Facebook on the “Town of Marbletown & Community” page. Board chairman Paris Perry began the meeting saying, “First off is the new hair salon. What we have is a lateral move of businesses on Lucas, the allowed business of beer brewing to hair salon, another allowed business (at 2303 Lucas Turnpike, corner of Route 213, High Falls). … You have two apartments, and you need parking spacing for the two – one space for every 50 square feet of retail. You have a nice plan, just give us the square footage.” There are three chairs in the salon now, with the possibility of adding two more. The parking requirement of one space for every 50 feet retail applies to all establishments that serve the public directly and does not include small entrance areas, storage, bathrooms and offices. Drainage work is being done right now on the park-
ing lot. Motion to accept the application passed, and the public hearing was set for July 11. Motion to classify as Type 2 SEQR passed. Perry said, “Next on the agenda, Smith’s subdivision (at 2456 Lucas Turnpike, High Falls). We have a 50-plus (acre) lot behind Rondout Manufacturing plot [that applicant] wants to be divided into three lots. The new site plan survey has the house and the septic; previously we didn’t have that and now we do. The properties have met the setbacks, the properties have the septics, the acreage is fine. What we have is the house and 1 acre, 1.7 acre, and 1. The only thing I didn’t see are the easements for right-of-way of the driveway and road maintenance agreement. It seems arbitrary for what is going on, but if it gets futurely sold to someone else and someone in the front chooses not to do anything, you need to make sure there’s an easement that goes through lot one. What I’m looking for … boards will probably make it a condition of approval. We need to have a maintenance agreement and an
easement that lot two will go through lot one.” “Do you want that to be a condition for the signature on the plat?” Shawn Marks asked. “Yes,” Perry said. Motion to accept determination passed, and the public hearing closed. Discussion included that there is no agriculture nearby, the existing house is in the middle. The existing driveway leads to the original existing house up until it crosses the town right-of-way with the railroad. The rail trail is approximately 50 feet wide, and once it crosses it turns into a 25-footer. The board voted Type 1 SEQR. The whole area in the back is an old quarry. Discussion ranged over which agencies to include, turn-arounds for emergency vehicles, and driveway configurations. Public hearing was scheduled for July 11. The Waters two-lot minor subdivision public hearing opened. One plot has the house and the septic.
Bernardo to run for NY’s new 51st Senate district Terry Bernardo announces run for the new 51st state Senate district Republican Terry Bernardo filed petitions at the state board of elections in Albany on Friday to run in the newly drawn 51 state Senate district. Bernardo, who is a resident of Rock Hill in Sullivan County, decided to run for office after the final state Senate maps were released on May 21. “We were all devastated by the news that our current Senator, Mike Bernardo Martucci, had been redistricted out of our area and into Orange County,” said Bernardo. “Residents had become accustomed to the high level of service that they received from their senator. I am running for this office to continue the representation and commitment that the people have come to expect”. The new state Senate District 51 covers seven counties including all of Sullivan, Delaware and parts of Ulster. Bernardo, who previously resided in Accord, owned a small business and served as chairwoman of the Ulster County Legisla-
NYS Senate District 51 includes Rochester and Marbletown
ture before moving to Sullivan County a few years ago. Terry Bernardo will face off in an August Republican primary election against Otsego
County resident Peter Oberacker, who resides in the Town of Maryland. Oberacker is currently a sitting state senator who was redistricted into the new 51st Senate district.
BlueStone Press, June 17, 2022, Page 7
New generation of volunteer firefighters Chelsea Miller BSP Reporter In an age where recruitment levels for local volunteer fire companies is at near crisis lows, the Accord Fire District has a lot to crow about. This June, the company has the privilege of celebrating seven of their members as they graduate high school. Volunteers are the backbone of the local community. The Accord Fire District consists of three fire companies in the Town of Rochester: Accord Fire Company #1 (on Main Street), Accord Fire Company #2 (on Samsonville Road) and Accord Fire Company #3 (in Alligerville, which is currently closed because it is under renovation). The Fire Company is overseen by five elected fire commissioners on the Board of Fire Commissioners. They are charged with overseeing all three companies and ensuring volunteer firefighters are trained and state regulations are met. Peter Nelson, captain and president of Fire Company #1, says that including mutual aid agreements the Accord Fire Company covers a territory of about 90 square miles. Nelson, who got involved 18 years ago, says that recruitment is a major issue, which is partly what makes these graduations particularly special. “Getting people to volunteer is a big thing,” says Nelson. “It’s a big time commitment, a big thing to ask of people. It is pretty amazing and inspiring to us that in Accord Fire we have seven members graduating high school. I can’t recall having that many before in the time I have been involved in the fire service.” He continues, “These kids – they are awesome. I am in awe of their commitment. I don’t think I would have volunteered at 17. Some of these kids have multiple jobs and up until now they have all still been in high school … it’s really moving to me that these kids are so committed at this age.” Turning to our young heroes for insight as to why they chose to join, there is a common theme; friends and family. Alex Jente says, “I live real close the firehouse. One of my friends was a part of it for six months before I joined, once I was allowed to, at 16.” Riley Novi became interested during the pandemic. “I got involved in 2020,” says Novi. “I had a friend who was a year older than me, and I went to a call with them, and as I was sitting in the car and watching them I thought it was a cool thing and really good thing for the community.” Landan Frey says that helping runs in the family. “I kind of grew up in a family who liked to help,” says Frey. “My dad is a state trooper, and so it was a given that I would join something to help the community. And I’m the nosey type. When I pass an accident I want to know what happened, and I had friends who had already joined to help me through the process. Now I’ve been on calls with dad and I can’t believe how cool it is to be on the same calls as him. To know that your dad is a lot older than you and is on the same call is pretty cool.” Danny Birch says, “My dad, Harry Birch, has been in it since however long I can remember,” says Birch. “I grew up spending a lot of time at the firehouse. When I was little it was all about the big trucks, and now I’m actually doing it, and it’s really surreal.” AJ Alaimo, who joined the Accord crew last May, says, “I’ve always liked helping people and I found a chance to do it. So I decided to try it out and what I found was that I would gain a whole new family in addition to my original family.” Korey Roeber echoes Alaimo’s sentiments; “I had a couple friends in it, and I wanted to help my community. When I joined, I really felt like I was joining a family.” Volunteering is no small undertaking and involves many levels of training. Says Nelson, “We are very lucky to have experienced chiefs, officers and senior members
Accord Fire District celebrates seven members as they graduate high school. In front, Landen Frey, AJ Alaimo; back, Alex Jente, Riley Novi, Danny Birch, Korey Roeber, Tanner Grajewski
who work hard to train, motivate and encourage these young firefighters and create an environment that promotes safety, team building and preparedness. We train for a wide spectrum of emergencies from structure fires, wild land fires, car accidents and extraction, search and rescue, hazmat, ice rescue, etc.” Training happens both weekly in house as well as in conjunction with the state and county. In addition to the time commitment of trainings, there are also the calls themselves, which can happen at any time, day or night. Nelson says that there is a job for everyone, whether you are 16 or 60 and beyond. And while the time commitment is big, Nelson is quick to point out, that when it comes to their young firefighters, school always comes first. Roeber says that in his experience he didn’t have that much trouble balancing the two. “I got lucky. We didn’t get a lot of calls while I was in school, and the meetings were at night, so there wasn’t a lot of conflict.” He continues, “Being a volunteer you don’t need to make every single call so there wasn’t a huge issue balancing the two … it kind of worked perfectly.” All seven graduating seniors agree that despite the challenges, there is much benefit to joining. Frey says, “I gained a lot of responsibility. And I learned to really hear the other person’s story before you judge them. Showing up, you don’t know what the back story is so you’ve got to really hear people out.” Frey also has the honor of being the recipient of the Eddie Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund, which was formed in the memory of Accord Fire District Chief Eddie Miller. Nelson explains that the Accord Fire Company is not in charge of who the award goes to and they were all surprised and thrilled that this year it was given to one of their very own. Frey, too, was happily surprised. “It feels so meaningful and I want to thank the family for giving me the opportunity. The chief actually handed me the scholarship, and until he opened the envelope he didn’t know who got it. It was a really cool moment for both of us when he got up there, opened the envelope and called my name out.” Novi says that the list is so long as to what he’s gained that he wouldn’t even know where to start. Roeber agrees, saying, “I’ve learned about so many ways to help our community, and that feels pretty great.” And they have advice and encouragement for other young people who might consider joining: “If you are thinking about joining, try it out, it’s an experience. I love it,” says Birch. Novi agrees: “If you feel that you can physically and mentally do it, do it! It’s a huge thing that will help you with a lot
of things in your future and be a lot of fun in general.” Jente points to community – both the community they serve and the community they create. “It’s a good way to serve the community, and you can have a lot of friends, if you keep the right company,” he says. “You get training and exercise and you learn a lot. We have a lot fun.” Roeber encourages others to join for the sake of community and opportunity. “It’s such a good opportunity, there’s a lot that can come from it, and it’s a great thing to help the community,” he says.
Frey points out that volunteering can help you build a future as well, “It’s the right thing to do and there are some huge benefits you can get from it. Your name gets out there, a lot of people look up to as a first responder. And it looks good on a college resume.” Alaimo sums it up nicely: “It’s worth it.” Nelson encourages anyone who is interested to stop by a firehouse. “Visit us anytime. We are here and have the doors open or reach out to us to see what we do in our community”, says Nelson.
Page 8, June 17, 2022, BlueStone Press
Briefs Alison Buckley named SUNY Ulster president The SUNY Ulster board of trustees has named Alison Buckley, Ed.D. as the College’s seventh president, according to Alan Lomita, chairman of the board of trustees. The announcement follows confirmation by the State University of New York board of trustees at its monthly meeting. Buckley will assume the helm of the 59-year-old college after Dr. Alan P. Roberts retires at the end of July after seven years as president. Buckley During Roberts’ tenure, he established the President’s Challenge Scholarship program with the College’s Foundation, and due to the many contributions of faculty and staff, SUNY Ulster was named the No. 1 Community College in New York State for two consecutive years in a row (2020 and 2021) by BestColleges.com. Buckley is currently vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at Connecticut State Community Colleges in New Britain, Connecticut. In this role, she is responsible for establishing the strategic enrollment management direction for the state’s community colleges and also leads the reform efforts for student affairs to ensure all community college students, regardless of location, have the support and resources needed to be successful. She previously served as associate vice president for enrollment services at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland. During her tenure, Howard was consistently recognized for best practices in the field of enrollment management and had the strongest enrollment among Maryland’s community colleges. Buckley earned a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership Studies from Northeastern University in Boston; a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland, College Park; a Master of Philosophy in Women’s Studies from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland; a Master of Arts in history and a postgraduate certificate in museum studies from the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware; and a Bachelor of Arts in classics and history from Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia. “Dr. Buckley's expertise comes at a critically important time in the landscape of community colleges, which are rapidly evolving due to the unprecedented challenges as a result of COVID-19 abound with many opportunities to offer new and traditional programs that provide career, transfer, and economic development opportunities to the region,” said Lomita. Buckley said, “Community colleges are well-positioned to set students on a trajectory for higher education, and to pursue their goals, and that is why I am excited to join SUNY Ulster as their next president. I share the goals of the SUNY Ulster community to provide a safe and welcoming academic experience and will focus on ensuring students enroll and stay on track to get their college education. I look forward to working with the campus’s faculty and staff to create educational opportunities for our students and will look to mitigate any barriers in their path.” Lomita said the selection of Buckley concluded a six-month search process conducted by a search committee comprised of the college’s students, staff, faculty, community leaders and board members.
Area heroin and cocaine trafficking ring takedown New York Attorney General Letitia James this week announced the takedown of a drug trafficking operation that flooded communities in the Hudson Valley and Capital Region with significant amounts of cocaine, heroin pills, methamphetamine pills and artificial Xanax pills. As alleged in two indictments unsealed in Ulster County Court today, 12 individuals trafficked more than $1 million worth of cocaine and thousands of pills throughout Ulster, Dutchess and Saratoga counties, and illegally possessed firearms, including assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The investigation led to the recovery of: • 11 kilograms of cocaine, with an approximate street value of $1.2 million • 15,000 methamphetamine pills, disguised as Adderall pills, with an approximate street value of $100,000 • 5,000 artificial Xanax pills, with an approximate street value of $50,000 • 750 heroin pills, disguised as oxycodone, with an approximate street value of $20,000 • 39 firearms, including four assault weapons • 40 high-capacity magazines • Hundreds of rounds of ammunition • $120,000 in cash. “As communities across New York and the country are devastated by opioids and gun violence every day, we are taking serious action to crack down on those who fuel this harm,” said AG James. “Any drug operation that floods our streets with heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine
endangers New Yorkers. But this operation was especially dangerous because they sold drugs that were intentionally disguised as prescription pills and were heavily armed with assault weapons and other firearms. Stopping gun violence and the opioid crisis requires action from every angle, and today’s takedown is the latest example of our commitment to using every tool possible to protect our communities. I thank our partners in law enforcement for their invaluable support in this investigation.” Today’s takedown was the result of an 11-month joint-investigation led by the Office of the OAG’s Organized Crime Task Force, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), and the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT), with support from the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, the Dutchess County Drug Task Force, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit. The investigation – dubbed “Operation GTL” due to guns, trafficking of narcotics, and laundering of proceeds that the investigation revealed – included hundreds of hours of physical and covert surveillance, court-authorized wiretapping of cellular telephones, and review of phone records and law enforcement databases. During electronic surveillance, the defendants and their co-conspirators frequently utilized coded and cryptic terminology in an attempt to disguise their illicit activities, such as referring to cocaine as “girl,” “lady” or “white”; heroin pills as “blues,” “blueberries” or “berries”;
methamphetamine pills as “peaches” or “oranges”; and artificial Xanax pills as “greens,” “green beans” or “beans.” As outlined in the first indictment, 11 defendants were charged for their roles in two conspiracies – one in which the defendants sold and possessed illegal pills disguised as pharmaceutical grade drugs and the other in which the defendants sold and possessed cocaine. As alleged in the first conspiracy, Christopher Pulichene operated an illegal pill distribution network in and around Ulster, Dutchess and Saratoga counties and elsewhere. Pulichene purchased heroin pills from Alton Countryman, who was supported by his wife, Thekla Countryman, and Joshua Guldy. Alton Countryman created the heroin pills in his home in Kingston, disguising them to look like pharmaceutical grade oxycodone pills. The heroin pills were blue, round and included the imprint “A 215,” which is found on pharmaceutical grade oxycodone pills. Pulichene then sold those heroin pills to defendants Thomas Colon, Julia Eaton and Zachary VanVlack. Pulichene also purchased methamphetamine pills disguised as pharmaceutical grade Adderall pills from a source on the West Coast. Similar to the heroin pills, the methamphetamine pills included the same characteristics as Adderall – the pills were orange, oval-shaped, and included the imprint “B 974,” which is found on pharmaceutical grade Adderall pills. Pulichene then sold those methamphetamine
See Heroin, page 14
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Athletics, recreation & fitness
Page 10
June 17, 2022
Rondout track has memorable season Girls win MHALs and Sec. 9 championships … Sands wins state championship … and the team sent the most athletes ever to state competition Jeff Slater BSP Reporter “We had an exciting finish to our track season!” said Jake Maloney, varsity track coach. Rondout Valley hosted its first ever Section 9 track and field championship in the new athletic complex, and 23 teams from all around Section 9 attended the event. The boys finished third with phenom Cameron Sands winning both the 100-meter and 200-meter dash. Thomas Clark won the 400 hurdles, and Dior Williams took the high jump. One week after winning the 17-team MHAL championship, the girls team dominated the section meet taking first place and winning the Section 9 championship by 118 points. The team was led by Olivia Waruch, who placed third in the 400 meter, and Sierra Hikade, who placed second in the pole vault. Victoria DeGraw placed third in the shot put, and Izzy Kinsell placed second in the 1,500-meter run and third in the 3,000-meter run. Maddie Malak won the triple jump, along with Sophia Schoonmaker winning the pole vault. Angelina Turner won the pentathlon. Jacqueline Kennedy won the 100 meter, took second in the 200 and long jump. Magnolia Flamhaft won the 100 and 400 hurdles. Kayla Oakes placed third in the 200, second in the high jump, and took first place in the long jump with a new school record,
Ganders host district-wide Special Olympics The Rondout Valley School District came together earlier this month, at the high school, for its first-ever Special Olympics event. More than 60 students from each of the district’s five schools participated in the day’s festivities, which celebrated community, collaboration, and
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Cameron Sands, state champion in the 100 meters. On right, the Rondout girls 4x100 relay team, Maddie Malala, Kayla Oakes, Jacqueline Kennedy, Sophia Schoonmaker.
with a jump of 17 feet and 1½ inches. The girls relay team also dominated with second place in the 4x800 (Clara Samko, Olivia Waruch, Vivian Gonzalez and Izzy Kinsella). They took first place in the 4x100 (Maddie Malak Sophia Schoonmaker, Kayla Oakes and Jacqueline Kennedy) and first in the 4x400 (Mackenzie Heyl, Riley Schoonmaker, Riley Owens and Olivia Waruch). Several of the girls and Cameron Sands of the boy’s team qualified for the New York State Outdoor Track & Field Championships, held in Cicero, North Syracuse, June 10-11, and they did quite well. The girls 4x100 relay team took fifth place. Jacqueline Kennedy took 10th in the 100 meter, eighth in the 200 meter and sixth in the long jump. Kayla Oakes placed seventh in the long jump, and Angelina Turner came in 11th in the pentathlon. Magnolia Flamhaft placed 12th in the 400 hurdles.
school spirit. The event kicked off with an opening ceremony and parade, which was supported by the New York State Troopers, Ulster County Sheriff, Accord Fire Department and Kerhonkson Fire Department. Throughout the day, student athletes competed in a variety of track and field events ranging from metered dashes to long jumps and ball tosses. Participants were assisted by volunteers from the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society, as well as students from the intermediate school and many staff members. The event was spearheaded by Rondout Valley district-wide physical therapist Carlos Perez, who shared that it was a smashing success. “The student athletes lead our district by example and hard work,” he said. “The amazing weather along with all of our spectators including parents, students and staff, created an electric atmosphere that was enjoyed by all. It was a truly memorable event.” Perez also emphasized that he could not have done it without the help of RV occupational therapist Paul Scarpati. Helping to make the Special Olympics a success was Infinite Care (Ten Broeck Center and Golden Hill) and Kiwanis Club of Kingston, for donating snacks and water, Hudson Valley Impressions, for contributing of shirts and ribbons, and Timely Signs, for providing the medals.
Cameron Sands placed fourth in the 200 meter and won the 100 meter in the state championship. He became only the fourth state champion from Rondout and the only Rondout champion in the 100 meters event. “Cameron performed at such a high level all season, and we both knew what it took to win a state championship and would have been disappointed if he didn’t. He did exactly what he needed to bring it home,” said coach Maloney. Anne Gullickson, another of the track coaches, said, “This year, our team was made up of a group of kids who work well together. That’s incredibly important to achieve good results. Our girls are MHAL and Section 9 champions because they work so well as a team. Our coaching staff is extremely proud of their efforts. To send this many girls to the state championship is quite an accomplishment. Jacqueline
Kennedy is the first Rondout athlete to qualify in four events. She is a sophomore and she medaled in the 4x100 relay and the long jump. We are very excited to see what she will do in the future.” “This was the most successful group we ever had at the state championships. Having so many athletes make it after not having a state championship for two years due to Covid was a special experience for all of us. I am proud of our athletes and because they worked hard to get there and their work paid off,” said Maloney. The team is coached by Jake Maloney, Anne Gullickson, Kristine Glass and assistant coaches Lynne Drake and Jared Strauss. Kudos to both track teams and the coaches on a terrific season. Go, Ganders!
Every competitive athlete, no matter what their abilities, shares certain qualities: drive, perseverance, confidence. For athletes with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics New York provides a training ground where those qualities are refined and given room to grow.
Last month, the Ganders had another achievement as RVHS hosted their first Section 9 Track & Field Championship. These accomplishments became a reality
due all the new improvements to the track and athletic field from the Capital Project. For info, call 845-687-2400, ext. 2401, or email dgottstine@rondout.k12.ny.us.
BlueStone Press, April June 15, 17, 2022, Page 11
Marbletown Road Run back after two-year hiatus, celebrating 50th anniversary Jeff Slater BSP Reporter The Marbletown Road Run is back after a two-year stop for the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also celebrating its 50th anniversary. It has always been held on the Fourth of July, and this year is no exception. It is the oldest foot race in Ulster County and was started in 1971 by Larry Skalla, who was a teacher and coach at Rondout at that time. Bob Johnson, a veteran marathon runner, became co-director of the race 30 years ago, and among his other responsibilities he provides a new T-shirt design each year. Johnson said, “We are elated that we can celebrate the 50th running this year after the Covid pause. We hope to celebrate this group effort that Coach Skalla started as a family event on July 4th and continue the tradition. The race is unique in that it offers special divisions other than age groups, like time estimation (where runners predict their finish time; the winner is the one who comes closest to their prediction), and there is a Town Division just for Marbletown residents. Larry set the tone of being a truly low-key, homegrown event that brings families together every year.” Skalla said that his whole family is involved in the 2.3-mile race. His wife, Sara, runs the head table, his son Dennis starts the race and then runs the course, his other son Mark helps at the finish line, and his grandson also runs and helps out. Skalla had this to say about how the race was started: “I was on the town Recre-
Town Men 2019 winners from left to right, Caleb Carr (third), Mike Halstead (second) and Guy Finkbeiner (first) BSP file photo 2019 by Matt Skalla
ation Committee and suggested we offer a running event, thinking of cross-country runners at Rondout Valley High School. Running was not as popular in the 1970s, and there were few opportunities to compete. The success of the run has been due to the willingness of many volunteers to help out. It requires over 30 volunteers to cover registration, the finish line, water stations, refreshments and traffic control. In addition, many of our local organizations provide their help. It starts with the Marbletown Youth and Recreation Commission and includes the Rondout
Valley School District, the Kripplebush and Stone Ridge fire companies, the Marbletown First Aid Unit and the Onteora Runners Club, who is including it in their 2022 Grand Prix series.” Skalla continued, “As we look back we think of all the people who participated or helped the event take place. The older generation of Joe Keller, Tom Casey, John Capen and Bernice Stahl, and in later years Steve Schallencamp, Fran Palmeri, Joe Brown Yvonne Sill, Roma Simpson, Pat Lopiano, Dave Nichols, Andy Lutz, Carl Pezzino, Peter Wells and too many others
to name. Through the years they became motivators and provided the energy to continue the MMR for the runners of the area and the Marbletown community. “Other memories include Katherine Switzerland, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, in attendance, then an Irish boxing team training in our area competed in our run, and there were rumors that a few of our Walkers Division visited a yard sale on their way to the finish line. We are excited to provide the 50th running of the Marbletown Road Run.” Johnson said, “For the first time this year we are going to use running numbers (bibs) and electronic timing to bring us up at least to 21st century but still do things the old-fashioned way. I have enjoyed designing a new T-shirt every year with the American flag as an inspiration. … There are hints of special refreshments. The best part is to finally enjoy this milestone year on the Fourth of July, rain or shine.” The run is 2.3 miles long, and starts at 10 a.m. Monday, July 4. The only way to enter is by signing up on the day of the race, 7:30-8:30 a.m., at Marbletown Elementary School, Stone Ridge. The race begins at 10 at Kripplebush Firehouse, ending back at the elementary school. There are 13 divisions (choose one), with an entry fee of $15. Special MMR T-shirts will be given to the first 150 entrants. For more information, contact Skalla at 845-687-7862 or Johnson at 845-489-8670. Come on out and enjoy the oldest race in Ulster County, right in Marbletown.
Local teens initiate golf tournament at Stone Dock Golf Course for local charity Jeff Slater BSP Reporter Two Rondout Valley High School seniors, Daniel Harkin and Amber Pennington, are hosting a golf tournament at the Stone Dock Golf Course on Saturday, June 18. The tournament is a “Scramble” format with teams of four competing, and a continental breakfast is offered before and a lunch after. The tournament has 10 teams. “When it came time to select my National Honor Society project, we are required as members to do a personal project that helps the community. This gave me the idea of a charity golf tournament. Ever since I played in my first golf tournament, I have always wanted to see what goes into hosting a tournament. This project gave me both the answers to my question and a great way to help the community,” said Harkin. Harkin continued, “Amber grew up playing on the Rondout Golf Course where one of the owners of Stone Dock
Dan Harkin and Amber Pennington, cosponsors of the charity golf tournament at Stone Dock
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watched her grow up on the course.” “I am so glad Daniel has found a way to incorporate golf and community service,” said Pennington. “Events like these are why I like golf so much because it can be so versatile. I am glad that I could use my knowledge and love of golf to help us do some good.” Regarding the charities the funds raised by the tournament are going to, Harkin said, “It just so happens that my mother is vice president of Local At Heart, which is the nonprofit that donates to local food pantries in the Rosendale area that we are working with. I figured that this would make it easier to get us grounded into the operation because Local At Heart has established themselves already in the community. “Keeping with the community-driven theme, this event is entirely paid for by the generosity of local businesses,” Harkin continued. “We have gotten over 10 businesses to sponsor the tournament in one way or another, and this has all owed us to fund the entire tournament.”
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Jennifer O’Donnell, one of the owners of Stone Dock, said, “This our first tournament as new owners. We decided last year to wait until the conditions were right to bring tournaments back. We are excited to have Daniel and Amber as our first tournament hosts, and it is fitting because we envision Stone Dock as a ‘hometown course’ that welcomes families and feels like a community place. Juan Weissenberg, our golf pro, has even formed a team of his students. Two local teachers at Rondout are also competing – Patrice Poremba and Liz Martinelli-Harrington. Our goal is to welcome back families and women as well attracting new folks with our love and enthusiasm for the course, our beautiful area and our community.” “Both Amber and I feel happy that we can give back to the community after twoplus years of living through the pandemic,” said Harkin. “We are just glad to be able to host an event like this. We know times are tougher than ever, and we want to help those in need.”
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Memoriam Patricia E. Carle
KERHONKSON—Patricia E. Carle died June 2, 2022, at her home. She was 81, She was born in Kingston on Jan. 20, 1941, a daughter of the late Aloysius and Jennie Entrott Rein. Pat was a graduate of Benedictine Hospital School of Nursing in 1962 and had been employed as a Registered Nurse. She worked 27 years at the Ellenville Community Hospital and 18 years at Mid-Hudson Family Health Institute in Ellenville. She retired in 2007. Pat enjoyed baking, cooking, spending time in her backyard and birdwatching. She Carle especially enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren. Her husband, Glenn O. Carle, died Nov. 27, 2007. She is survived by three children, Glenn Edward Carle of Ellenville, Michael Joseph Carle and Sharon Ann Carle, both of Kerhonkson. She was the grandmother of Michael G. and Lisa A. Carle. Pat was the sister-in-law Elinor Churchill of Kerhonkson, John Carle (Sherry) of Accord and the late Sally Carle. She was the aunt of Lynn Churchill of Kerhonkson, Dawn Krom (Andy) of Tillson, Christian Carle (Susan), Connor Carle and Carla Churchill of Kerhonkson. She is also survived by two great-nephews, William Doyle and Ross Krom (Theresa), and a greatniece, Sage Krom. Visitation for family and friends was June 9 at the George J. Moylan Funeral Home, Rosendale. It was followed by her funeral service and interment at Fairview Cemetery, Stone Ridge. The family suggests memorial donations to Ulster Greene ARC, 471 Albany Ave., Kingston, NY 12401 or to the Hillcrest House, P.O. Box 445, Ellenville, NY 12528. To leave a personal condolence for the family, visit www.GJMoylanFuneralHome.com.
Frank Kutch
NAPANOCH—It is with extreme sadness and a heavy heart that the Kutch family announces the sudden and unexpected passing of Frank Kutch on June 1, 2022, in his home. Frank grew up in Fell Township and the Simpson area of Pennsylvania where he met the love of his life, Linda Pauswinski, of Forest City, Pennsylvania. The two married on May 7, 1966, and moved to Napanoch, where they raised three children and shared 55 years of marriage. Sadly, Linda passed away in December of 2021, after her long battle with cancer. Kutch Frank, ever by her side, selflessly helped her in the fight. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Peter & Margaret Dunback Kutch, and nine siblings. He was also predeceased by his wife, Linda. He is survived by Frank Paul Kutch (son) and his wife, Lynn Marie, and their daughter, Alexa of Easton, Pennsylvania; Barbara Doolittle (daughter) and her husband, Todd, and their daughter, Gillian of Napanoch; Debbie Haight (daughter) and her husband, Matt, and their two children, Aidan and Cameron of Peabody, Massachusetts; and his beloved dog, Memphis. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Brenda Korty and her husband, Bruce, of Montrose, Pennsylvania, and their three children, Brian, Sharon and Aaron. Frank worked for Shamro Well Drilling for many years and later in life worked for 209 Sand and Gravel. In his spare time, Frank enjoyed working on the yard, landscaping and gardening. He also took on an extreme fondness for cooking, often reinventing old recipes to make them better. We can truly say he was a “Jack of all trades and a master of everything he did.” A memorial service will be held 1-3 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at Humiston Funeral Home, 30 42nd Street, Kerhonkson. “He was more than a parent to us: he was our mentor, our role model, our answer to any problem, but, most of all, our best friend. As the patriarch of the family, he was our guiding star and we were so blessed to have him as our father.” In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank’s memory to Ulster County SPCA, 20 Wiedy Road, Kingston, NY 12401. To send a personal condolence to Frank’s family, visit humistonfuneralhome.com.
Distinguished in life Dr. Marie-Louise Tully Johnson
HIGH FALLS—Dr. Marie-Louise Tully Johnson, 95, a pioneer in the field of dermatology and lifelong resident of High Falls, passed away at her home on June 8, 2022. Dr. Johnson’s distinguished career in dermatology spanned 60 years. She was elected in 1981 as the first dermatologist to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences –Institute of Medicine; in 1995, the first woman to receive the Master Dermatologist Award by the American Academy of Dermatology; and in 2000, the first woman to be elected Johnson president of the American Dermatological Association. Born Marie-Louise Tully on July 26, 1927 in Brooklyn, the daughter of James Henry Tully and Mary Dobbins Tully, she was 3 years old when her parents purchased a farm in High Falls as a second home. At the age of 13 she volunteered to serve at the Benedictine Hospital in Kingston during World War II. From that point on, she vowed to study medicine. Dr. Johnson was a graduate of Manhattanville College and is recognized as one of its most distinguished alumnae. She graduated from the Yale School of Medicine in 1956 after earning her Ph.D. in microbiology two years earlier at Yale. She then became a professor of clinical dermatology at the Yale-New Haven Medical Center. She met the love of her life, Dr. Kenneth Gerald Johnson, a cardiologist now retired, on her first day of classes in medical school. They were married in St. Saviour’s Church, Brooklyn, on June 10, 1950. In 1964, she and her husband were recruited for the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission to study the medical effects on the survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Dr. Johnson served as chief of dermatology for the program. After Dr. Johnson finished her work in Japan in 1967, she became director of dermatology at New York University – Bellevue Hospital. Later, she and her husband moved to Dartmouth Medical School, where she trained Vietnam War medics at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in White River Junction, Vermont. Dr. Johnson returned to her Hudson Valley roots in 1980 to become the director of medical education
Luisa A.Walsh
ROSENDALE—Luisa A.Walsh left this world to be with her Lord and family on June 8, 2022. She was born June 19, 1935, in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, one of 12 children of the late Luis Medina and LiLa Abrams. She was predeceased by her husband, John J. Walsh, of 63 years who passed away Dec. 20, 2017. Luisa was a homemaker and the mother of eight children. She also had worked for Cornell Cooperative Extension in Kingston where she helped interpret and write Spanish for clients that needed assistance. She is survived by her children, John T. Walsh and his wife, Jeanne, of Rosendale; Patrick Walsh and his wife, Penny, of Walsh Rosendale; Tito Walsh and his wife, Carolyn, of Stone Ridge; William Walsh of Taiwan; Joseph Walsh of Rosendale; Patricia Medina Walsh of Rosendale; Robert Walsh of Sacramento, California, and Kenneth Walsh and his wife, Kim, of Rosendale. Luisa was blessed with 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. There are so many others and family friends that call her mom. She is the beacon of light that has never stopped giving. Our mother is a devoted Catholic that has never wavered in love and faith of her Lord. All that know her have been blessed by
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at the Benedictine Hospital in Kingston. Recognizing the need for adequate training in the diagnosis and treatment of dermatological ailments, Dr. Johnson established a post-graduate training program in dermatology for board-certified physicians and physician assistants at the Mid-Hudson Family Health Institute. Thanks to her efforts, Dermatology Services of Kingston established strong connections with the Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Johnson’s alma mater. Approved by the American Board of Family Medicine, DSK has operated since 2004. She retired from her 42year practice in the spring of 2018. Over the course of her career, Dr. Johnson traveled the globe to share her expertise and received numerous awards and citations, including the Marion Dasey Compassionate Physician Award; the Rose Hirschler Award; and the Clark W. Finnerud Award for clinical excellence in practice, teaching and research. Dr. Johnson treated 100,000 patients from the local area suffering from various skin conditions. She formed lifelong bonds with many of them and built a reputation among her medical peers as the model of compassionate physician, scientist and humanist. A devout Catholic, Dr. Johnson was a Eucharistic minister and lector at St. Peter’s Church in Rosendale. In 1994, she was awarded the Papal Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by Pope John Paul II for her humanitarian work worldwide. She traveled to Rome annually in order to visit and care for her dear friend, Father Pedro Arrupe, S.J., the superior general of the Jesuit Order, whom she first met in Japan. Among her many hobbies, Dr. Johnson enjoyed growing flowers and sharing them with her church, writing poetry, tending to her menagerie of canaries and writing sacred music. Dr. Johnson is survived by her husband, Dr. Kenneth G., of High Falls; her brothers, William D. Tully, of Chester, New Jersey, and Prof. Robert E. Tully of Salisbury Mills; sisters-in-law, Eileen Conway Tully of Albany; Jeannine Ryan Tully of High Falls; and Anne Harrick Tully of Salisbury Mills; and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, James H. Tully Jr. of Albany and Martin F. Tully of High Falls, and by her sister-in-law, Judith Sheehan Tully, of Chester, N.J. A Funeral Mass was given on June 14 at St Peter’s Church in Rosendale, and interment followed at St Peter’s Cemetery, Rosendale.
her love. She would always tell you that she would see you "with the help of God." Every day she will always watch over our family and countless others that may need her prayers and grace. May her light continue to shine on us! Visitation for family and friends was June 15 at the George J. Moylan Funeral Home Inc., 2053 Route 32, Rosendale. A Mass of Christian Burial was held June 16 at St. Peter's Church in Rosendale. Interment followed at St. Peter's Cemetery, Rosendale.
Nancy Knauer
HIGH FALLS—Nancy Knauer died peacefully at Ten Broeck Nursing Facility on June 3, 2022. Nancy was born on Long Island on May 29, 1956. She was raised in High Falls and attended Rondout Valley High School, graduating in 1974. Nancy had a tender heart and devoted herself to raising five children. In addition to spending time with her family, Nancy enjoyed embroidery, often gifting her projects to friends and family. Nancy contributed to the community as an Awana Leader of the Baptist Church and was a loyal and caring foster mother of three children. Nancy’s goodwill was also apparent in her work at ShopRite, where she was known for her compassion toward elderly customers. Nancy is survived by her beloved husband, Bill Knauer Knauer, whom she was married to for 44 years, and her three sisters, Paula Royce, Christine Royce and Carol Royce. Nancy also leaves behind her children, Jason (Mandy) Knauer of Kerhonkson, Michael Knauer of New Paltz, Liz (Leon) Decker of Kerhonkson, Rebecca Knauer of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Virginia Knauer of Ringgold, Georgia. Lastly, Nancy leaves behind nine grandchildren: Jordan Knauer, Nathaniel Knauer, Austin Knauer, Patrick Knauer, Leon Decker Jr., Mason Decker, Paulina Decker, Xavier Boisey andAvianna Wojcik, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held on June 11 at Humiston Funeral Home, followed by an interment at the High Falls Cemetery.
June 17, 2022
Local money, local ideas
Page 13
Abbott Automotive expands to include new waiting room to welcome community Chelsea Miller BSP Reporter Abbott Automotive in High Falls just got an upgrade. The local auto repair business has added a new spacious and gracious waiting room that is in line with Nick Abrams’s goal to be a community repair shop where customers feel welcome to come hang out. Abrams first took over the garage in High Falls in 2016. But to trace back to the origins of his love of cars, he points to his father. While his father died while Abrams was still very young, his love of all things automotive was passed down to his son. It began as an obsession with model cars, which transitioned into remote-control cars as Abrams grew, and once he was old enough to get a real car, well, Abrams says at that point it was all over. He was hooked and could spend hours that felt like minutes tinkering away on cars in the driveway. Raised in New York City, Abrams says that he knew at an early age that city living was not for him. Kindled, perhaps, by fond memories of long, slow summers spent in a bungalow with his grandmother at the Villa Bianco in Rosendale, at the age of 16 Abrams announced to his mother and step-father that he would be moving upstate permanently. “I basically told my mom that the city wasn’t for me and I couldn’t live in the city anymore,” says Abrams. Amazingly, his mother said yes and moved upstate with her son to a house in High Falls to help him get settled in. With country living came Abrams’s first car: a 1997 Lincoln Continental. “My mom and step-dad had this big Lincoln Continental and before I was old enough to drive my step-father told me, ‘If you ever steal that car before you get your license it will be the last time you will ever drive it.’ And so I waited and kept that in mind every time I was tempted to sneak out. The day he handed me the keys made it all worth it, and he said quite clearly that he was giving me the keys because I had earned his trust.” Abrams began working in the auto industry. His first job was at Five Star Auto Service, a quick lube shop that gave Abrams the opportunity to cut his teeth in the automotive world. Next, he moved on to Rockefeller Auto in Kingston, where he would meet his first mentor, Jamie Rockefeller, and the dream to one day open an auto shop of his own would first hatch. “The owner, Jamie Rockefeller, took a liking to me,” says Abrams, “and I learned a lot of ins and outs of the business. It was at that point I realized my destiny was to own a repair shop.” Abrams found that it wasn’t just the technical work he loved but it was also customer relationships. He quickly realized that in the automotive repair business his ability to connect and build trust with a customer was paramount. “People don’t realize it’s not just the first time a person comes in,” says Abrams. “It is about how you handle things the second time they come in. I always say you want to make sure the customer fully understands what’s going on throughout the whole process.” Abrams continued to jump from job to job, which, he says with a small smile, was partially because he was young but the deeper driving force was a quest to gain knowledge and more skills. At every shop he worked Abrams strengthened his toolset. He even spent some time at a 15-bay transmission shop where he not only took a deep dive on transmissions and diagnostics but also learned how to run a large garage. Life happened along the way, and on one fateful Halloween night 13 years ago he met his now partner, JoAnna Scanlon. Scanlon was going to school in New Paltz, and she and Abrams started talking and ended up hanging out for most of the night. The pair traded phone numbers and met for breakfast the next day, and, Abrams says, they basically never stopped hanging out from that day forward. The pair now share two children, a 2½ -year-old daughter named Delaney and an 8-month-old son named Logan. In 2016, Abrams and Scanlon were living in Queens. Scanlon had taken a job in special education focusing on children on the autism spectrum, and Abrams was running a gas station and four-bay repair shop in East Elmhurst. He received a call from his friend Rob Hamm telling him that Ray Mercer had died and that his daughter was looking for someone to take over the shop. He turned to Scanlon and asked her what she thought. After
From left to right, the team of Abbott Automotive: Timothy Traver, Anthony Contarino, Debra Lewis, Nicholas Abrams, Sean Mead, David Struber and Penny the pup right in the center of it all. Photo by Chelsea Miller
all, says Abrams, this was now a “we” decision, not a “me” decision. Scanlon assured Abrams that if he thought he could do it, she had his back. And so, the next morning, Abrams headed to High Falls to meet with Mercer’s daughter. She assured him that it was a sure thing, and they called Davenport, the landlord of the garage, who said thanks, but no thanks. Abrams was crestfallen. He took a deep breath and called back. He expressed that he knew it was his destiny to own a repair shop, that this was the place and assured Davenport of his extensive experience. Davenport agreed to meet Abrams the next morning at 6:30 outside the garage. Abrams laughs that his step-father told him that Davenport most likely wanted to make sure Abrams could get up early enough, and get up early enough he did. In the early morning hours the next day Abrams shared his dreams and plans for the garage and a deal was struck, a one-year lease a was signed, and a security deposit paid. Abrams says that this whole venture is possibly due to the support of his family, from his encouraging mother and step-father to his grandmother, who helped him with some of the seed capital he needed to start the business. Of the early days, Abrams says, “When I first opened, I was here by myself and that was overwhelming. If there is one place that proves that word of mouth is so important it is here because it just multiplied. One person came in and had a good experience, and then they told two other people, who told more people.” Abrams began to build a reputation as a shop that could address all levels of automotive repair, including tires, and carve out a specialty in electrical diagnostics. Abrams adds that especially in those early days there was a lot emotion. “I knew people loved Ray, but I didn’t realize how much,” he says. “People came and hung out at the garage for hours with Ray, even when their car didn’t need to be fixed. If you can accomplish that, if you can have a place where customers come even when they don’t need a repair, customers who trust you, you’ve made it.” The business grew quickly, and within the first few months Abrams hired his first technician, an old friend he’d worked with in other shops, and within the first year he added a dedicated service adviser. He added another lift, capable of servicing larger trucks, and built out a small waiting room to keep that sense of community and place. However, as the business grew, so did the need for space, and just as the need for another lift intensified this year, the space in the front of the building, which was formally occupied by Nectar, followed by HowGood, opened up. Abrams says that having a larger, more gracious waiting room has always been a goal. “I took over the front of the building so I could knock down my old waiting room and put in another lift. I wanted a waiting room that really made people feel that they were being treated like they were in a Mercedes dealership – without the Mercedes dealership or the Mercedes dealership prices. I want everyone who comes in, whether they are driving a sports car or a rusty pickup, to feel really taken care of and wel-
comed.” The space is, indeed welcoming. Customers are greeted by service adviser Debra Lewis as they walk in the door. The walls are light and airy, punctuated by gleaming black steel frames that are original to the building. Supple leather chairs await customers as well as complimentary refreshments, stacks of magazines and books that range from art to auto, and a big-screen TV. In the end, the business is deeply linked to Abrams’s long-ago desire to live upstate as opposed to a big city. While in the beginning of his career Abrams dreamed of multiple locations he says he’s really seen the value of deeply personalized service in a tightknit community, an antidote to the big corporate garages that are slowly buying up mom-and-pop shops. “One or two heavy hitters are basically buying up all these independent repair shops for the obvious reasons,” he says, “basically corporate hostile takeover, and that is scary because these places are all about numbers, not people. They have very high profit margins that they need to hit. Everyone who works at these kinds of places are paid per job, so the more they sell the bigger their paycheck is. But how can you feel comfortable if you know the person making the repair makes more money for the stuff they sell?” Abrams continues that one the most rewarding aspects of the business has been the community that comes with it. “I had roots here, and who wouldn’t want to be in High Falls? Everyone is great. Our little part of the world has such an eclectic mix of people, from farmers to hippies to people who moved up from the city long ago and those who are more recent transplants. It’s such a nice, welcoming town.” As opposed to profits over people, Abrams’s north star is to take care of both the people who work for him and the community. “One of the coolest things about being here in this repair shop is I have seen families start, and now I’m starting to see people who came in six years ago with a kid and now we’re working on their teenager’s first car. When I walk into the supermarket there are four or five people who say hi and we swap stories about our kids. I’m the person my customer calls when they are on the side of the road with car trouble. It’s exactly what you would want being a local business owner. This is a community. It’s important that when we all put our heads on the pillow at the end of the day we know that we did good work, work that needed to be done, at a fair price and our customers trust us.” Abbott Automotive is at 1410 Route 213 in High Falls. Operating hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. To learn more, call the shop at: 845-687-2886.
Your letters, views & ideas
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Letters policy Please send letters to the editor to the BlueStone Press by email at bluepress@aol. com or send to P.O. Box 149, Stone Ridge, NY 12484. Include your name, hometown and daytime phone number. Letters should be fewer than 500 words and may be edited for clarity, brevity and taste. Letters won't appear in consecutive editions from the same author. The BSP hopes that, in the spirit of community dialogue, readers and writers in the letters section are respectful of a diversity of viewpoints. We err on the side of freedom of speech in our letters, and we hope that vigorous dialogue is more likely to produce an informed public than censorship, however well meaning. Call 6874480 with questions.
Thanks to the community from RVEF To the Editor: The Rondout Valley Education Foundation would like to express its gratitude to everyone who came out and made our Arrowood Fundraiser a great success by raising $2,338! Thank you to our community businesses who donated items to support our cause: Arrowood, Drive-Thru Deli, Mill & Main, Mohonk Preserve, Saunderskill Farm, Stone House Tavern, Stone Ridge Liquors, Standing Rock Farm, Augustine’s Nursery and Victoria Gardens. Since 2005 we have been giving grants to educators in the Rondout Valley School District, providing students an enhanced learning experience not covered in the school budget. Only through contributions from our community are these grants possible. This year alone we have funded $13,593 in project materials, books, classroom equipment and field trips! To learn more about RVEF and sign up for our newsletter to see what teachers are doing, go to www.rvefoundation.org. Nelda Gerner Member, RVEF board of directors, Kerhonkson
Afghan Circle of the Hudson Valley To the Editor: After a delay of nine months, the U.S.
Heroin from page 8 pills to defendants Colon, Eaton, VanVlack and Devyn Wolny. Colon then sold the pills to Ralph Banks Jr. and others. In the second conspiracy, Pulichene operated an illegal cocaine distribution network. He obtained cocaine from a source in the Gulf Coast and then sold the cocaine to Colon, Eaton and Wolny for resale to others. Colon resold the cocaine to Banks, Kevin Drake Jr. and Nicholas Lasusa. In addition to the large quantities of drugs that were recovered, investigators seized 39 firearms, including assault weapons, 40 high-capacity magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, riot gear, and other weapons. This indictment contains 275 counts for various felony narcotics offenses, including
CPP from page 5 said Fink, “Warwick was the first Hudson Valley community to do this. Because it was state legislation, it has sunset provision and so it had to be extended by the legislature. They just extended it by 50 years, and I think that’s a testament to how successful the town and legislature perceives it. They’re invested in this.”
June 17, 2022
Start Your Engines It’s that time of the year, folks… Things start growing faster than we can keep up with. Stay diligent, check the oil. Enjoy the summer !
government has finally created a pathway for Afghan refugees in this country to attain “Temporary Protected Status” (TPS), which allows them to apply for work permits and protects them from random detention and deportation. While this is a great step forward for the nearly 100,000 Afghans here, it does not help to assist them to live here on a daily basis. Like nearly 300 other Sponsor Circles throughout the country, and about 10 in this region, the Afghan Circle of the Hudson Valley continues to welcome, resettle and integrate refugee families here, offering them food, housing, medical care, English instruction and school for their children. With no government funding or benefits, we are now preparing these highly motivated, professional-class people to join the work force. The
challenges include the need for vehicles to get them to career training, college classes, job interviews, ESL classes and work. Although there are taxis and Uber, and some bus service, these exiles want to become independent and move forward into attaining the American Dream. Therefore, we look to our friends in the community to consider donating a used car, or to fund our purchase of one, for these motivated families to use, to get to school and work. So if you have an extra vehicle sitting in the shed, please think of us or contact www. afghancirclehudsonvalley.org. Tash akur (“thank you” in Dari).
Harv Hilowitz Founder & chair, Afghan Circle of the Hudson Valley, Stone Ridge
a charge against Pulichene for operating as a major trafficker, which carries a maximum sentence of life in state prison, and various counts of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance (class A and B felonies), as well as conspiracy to commit those crimes. Additionally, Pulichene, Alton Countryman, Banks and Colon are charged with firearms offenses for some of the firearms that were seized. In the second indictment, Robert Curry is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, a class A-I felony, and three counts associated with the possession of cocaine, which occurred within the City of Kingston in Ulster County. Those charged in today’s two indictments include: Christopher Pulichene, 39, of New Paltz; Ralph Banks Jr., 50, of Saugerties; Thomas Colon, 60, of Saugerties;
Alton Countryman, 35, of Kingston; Thekla Countryman, 35, of Kingston; Robert Curry, 42, of Albany, New York; Kevin Drake Jr., 32, of Kingston; Julia Eaton, 34, of Gansevoort; Joshua Guldy, 21, of Kingston; Nicholas Lasusa, 31, of Saugerties; Zachary VanVlack, 34, of Wappingers Falls, and Devyn Wolny, 24, of New Paltz. “Ulster County has witnessed an increase in drug use, drug overdoses and gun violence,” said Ulster County Sheriff Juan J. Figueroa. “This case establishes the need of local law enforcement to collaborate with state agencies that have the assets and expertise of long-term investigations. The URGENT Task Force, the New York Attorney General’s Office, and the Organized Crime Task Force joined forces to take down drug traffickers and remove drugs and weapons off the streets. This case is the largest seizure of illicit drugs in the county’s
history. I congratulate the participating agencies of the URGENT Task Force, the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force, and the New York State Police for a job well done in protecting the residents of the Hudson Valley.” Today’s takedown marks the latest major drug bust in OAG’s Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic (SURGE) Initiative, a law enforcement effort that brings together state and local law enforcement to target New York’s growing heroin, opioid and narcotics trafficking networks. Since launching in 2017, SURGE has taken 738 alleged traffickers off the streets. The charges against the defendants are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Foote noted she had heard about some anxiety within the community about the Town Board “taking land away.” She clarified the process in a call with BSP on June 13: “Any sale of any land would have to be initiated by a person who owns the land. If we got outbid by a developer, then that’s the way it goes. Just because it’s the town’s funds, doesn’t mean the town has any kind of leeway or way of making these things happen. It has to completely be by the landowner’s own will.” The funds cannot
be used for any other purpose except those authorized in the plan, which are identified and subject to state law and approval by the CPP advisory board. The plan is updated at least every five years and must be filed with three state agencies. Robbins said it’s going to take time to build the fund and that this will not be an overhaul of the town. “Ideally it will be a few select projects over the next decade. The beautiful thing about this plan is that it’s sustainable, it’s
not just a bond that we borrow and pay it back, it’s a fund that can be contributed and grow. And my hope is that it builds in to a public–private partnership where a foundation looks at us and says ‘look at this beautiful plan you made, look at the work you’ve done, we’d like to support you’.” If the plan is adopted as local law, a public referendum will be held on Nov. 8. The CPP would begin in 2023, if approved. To stay up to date, visit: marbletown.net/ community-preservation-task-force.
BlueStone Press, June 17, 2022, Page 15
Chopstick etiquette Dear Wally: Is it cool to bring my own chopsticks to a restaurant? I recently did and it kicked up a few comments from the group about it being inappropriate or possibly offensive to the restaurant owners. I see no problem with it, but I wanted to get some perspective. I have shark chopsticks which I love. They are spring-loaded and on a hinge. – HL Dear HL: While I have the equivalent of a Ph.D. in useless and arguably terrible advice, I have the equivalent of a kindergarten level of education in the ways of social etiquette. I still see no problem with ripped army cargo shorts and Wally Nichols mustard slammed T-shirts in all but the most formal circumstances. (I generally put on long pants for all my court and sentencing appearances. But not always. And next time, for the reaction alone, I’m bringing spring-loaded shark chopsticks. At least to the near side of the metal detector …) So, with that caveat, I will consider your odd question from a few different angles and see if we can get you in and out of a restaurant without being asked to leave or getting your soup spit in for your cultural offenses. Your question leaves me with a few more questions than I started the day with, such as are you going to restaurants that don’t have utensils? If that is the case, bringing your own utensils (even chopsticks, let alone high-tech chopsticks) is highly appropriate and possibly imperative. I haven’t recently been to a restaurant that doesn’t supply utensils, but there was an Ethiopian restaurant in Providence a few years back that intended to deliver such a culturally authentic experience that no utensils were supplied other than the two you walked in with. And it was up to you to get the food in with your fingies. Note to self: Right hand (index and ring finger, specifically) is the food hand. Left hand is the dung hand. Do not mix them
Dear Wally
Illustration of shark chopsticks in hand
up, because THAT is a massive faux paw (pardon the pun) that would earn you well-deserved scorn and possibly ejection. As in, “you are what you eat …” Are you writing me from Addis Ababa?? If so, and if you forgot your hands, or forgot which is the proper one for food, ditch the chopsticks and grab some injera. That scoopy edible shovel is helpful (and might just show up on a crossword puzzle someday …). Remember: Right is right! (Unless you are going to the bathroom, or a voting booth, and then right is wrong. Maybe I have only made things more confusing …? Hahaha! Mission Accomplished for a snarky advice columnist! Wait, where were we?? Oh yeah, shark chopsticks. With springs. You know what’s what? I immediately go to the dark place and imagine your chopsticks breaking two tables away and the spring launching into my eye and sending me to the effing ER. So, thanks a lot … Actually, how cool (and food-chain appropriate) would it be for you to use your own shark chopsticks to eat sushi? I think it would be hard to take umbrage (or anything other than situational humor) at using shark chopsticks in a sushi restaurant. It’s a little gimmicky, to be sure, but you get a pass from me and probably also from Emily Post (who I hear from a reliable source has mustard stains on
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her schmatta when no one is looking). But of course, things aren’t always so clear. Are you bringing your custom chopsticks to a pizza place? If so, that’s a fail and you need to line those chopsticks up in an ‘L’ (don’t make me explain this or it’s a second ‘L’ for you). More questions: Do your spring loaded chopsticks come with a carrying case? (super dorky) Do they travel with you in some sort of backpack/quiver thing from which you can reach behind your back like Katniss Everdeen and grab them whenever you come across something you want to eat? (or gore?) Do you carry them in your pocket? Eeek. If so, do they poke you (or bite you?!) in the leg when you walk? Do they have a dorsal fin? Can that be used to cut food if the chopstick action doesn’t suffice and the restaurant doesn’t have a knife? My pockets are always filled with gobsmacking quantities of arbitrary bric-a-brac. I can’t imagine making room for shark chopsticks, but maybe …? Do you bring your own water glass? Table cloth? Chair? Fork? Or is it just chopsticks? You are definitely weird. Let’s have dinner sometime. But I’m wearing goggles … – Wally
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June 17, 2022
Father’s Day 2022 Wally Nichols BSP Columnist I own one of these teenagers. She was brand new in 2008 and is now stretched beyond recognition and long out of warranty. Plus, I lost the receipt. We are walking toward the big box store from the parking lot. The latest marketing efforts to commercialize Father’s Day, and thus relieve us of our money in exchange for some plastic, commemorative do-dads, are hardly subtle. It’s soon my day. Shoehorned between Mother’s Day and July 4th, which are themselves shoehorned in between New Year’s and Christmas. There are a lot of holiday dots to connect these days. It’s no wonder Father’s Day comes and goes with relatively little fanfare. However, if all goes according to their plan, I’ll walk out with a belt or tie or some shaving gear or a fishing pole or new lawn mower. Or a blender or a cooler. But that’s not how it will actually go. We’ll be walking out with shampoo for hair I don’t really even have in the first place. It’s for her. For her long, dirty-blond teenage hair that gets more daily attention and fuss than anything else in the world these days including me. But, being part of that quotidian, prosaic transaction is the nuanced, barcode-less gift of my dreams, grumble out loud as I occasionally may. My teenager has been with me for 14 of these holidays, though I would consider the term “Father’s Day” to be less of a single day celebration for me than it was for my own dad. I don’t eat bacon and eggs. I don’t eat breakfast even, so having a meal cooked, on one of the 365 days each year, as I used to gladly do for my grateful father, misses the mark as an overture of current generational appreciation. This is good because it wouldn’t be done anyway in this household of just her, me and the dog. My child has inherited my own mother’s spunk and also her disdain for kitchen time. Also, I don’t wear ties. Hattie makes a dry comment, which is flaccidly launched from her deadpan verbal cannon (rust-free and shiny from daily use): “When was Father’s Day?” “Very funny,” I reply. “No, seriously. We must have missed it.” She doubles
Dad steals kisses
down on her joke. Noticeably absent is a sheepish, “Sorry, Daddy. JK. Happy Father’s Day!” “It’s this weekend,” I warn. “And are you getting me a belt or a lawn mower?” I tease, of course. “What …?” She asks. I repeat my question until I realize I have walked snout first into her current favorite sing-songy trap. Still walking, she looks up from her phone. “What … (beat of silence for dramatic effect) kind of shampoo am I going to get? Hmmm.” The question is rhetorical and makes us both laugh a little. I recognize this play. It’s ripped right out from the braided double helix of my own genetic coding. In my home office, I have sacrificed the pristine, natural wood door jamb for the visual demarcation of time’s thumping passage, measured in inchoate pencil marks with more-or-less dates. July 2015. Winter 2018. Nov. 4, 2020. Each randomly timed scratch more empirical proof of what happens when you actually feed these things. They get bigger. A lot bigger. Over an inch of vertical growth in just this last year. She is already taller than her mother and careering towards my 5’ 9” ness. And there are years upon years of pencil marks bearing witness to the nonlinear explosion
from my kneecap height, which is when we first started this. The door frame is defiled in a perfect way. It gets yanked off and leaves under my arm in the event of a house fire. It’s super hard not to get the feels, good bad and otherwise, when this holiday drags dads to the spotlight. I tend to bend to the maudlin winds of sentimentality, especially when considering my own kin’s evanescent youth. I have been warned up, down and sideways that it goes fast. And for someone who has seriously heeded this alert, delivered by those with furrowed brows of bewilderment who have gone before, I’m still nonplussed by the swiftness of the a priori truth. She’ll be driving soon. Driving legally on town roads, I should say. She already drives around the farm like a bat out of hell. So I warn ad nauseum of the unconsidered hazards out there realizing the window for dad data dumps is closing. If this was a final exam, I’d recognize the bug-eyed, frenzied, 11th-hour cramming, the empty coffee cups, and the jittery hands. “Look left and right five times before you get on this road (Route 209).” Always followed up with the cautionary coda: “Don’t assume there is no car coming the other way just because you don’t see headlights.” I do worry a lot, and she points it out. These people drive too fast around here, I mumble. Too fast. I catch the irony of the observation as it leaves my mouth, passes deaf ears and lands in the corners of my eyes. Damn … I know life is nothing if not an agent of change. The marks on the door frame. The homework, the sass, the giggles, the diapers. The reading. The tooth brushing reminders. The tears. The meals. The bickering. The adventure. The bras. The vacations. The chores. The attitude. The drama. The door slams. The trumpet. The lectures. The confidence. The insecurities. The report cards. The shopping. The hugs. The deep belly laughs. The companionship. All of it. All of it … It’s Father’s Day Sunday, and also Fathers' Day Sunday, but I’m lucky this also happens every day … – Wally Nichols
A stroke of luck Jeff Slater BSP Reporter This Father’s Day won’t be like any other I’ve experienced. Last Aug. 27 I suffered a stroke in the left frontal lobe of my brain, and luckily, it only affected my speech temporarily. I was a fairly healthy 60-year-old guy, who ate well (I thought), had a couple of beers every night (maybe too many) and kept myself in pretty in good shape. Stunned mentally and physically, I found myself in a hospital bed with all sorts of machines hooked up to me and scared to death. Thank god I was able to go home the next day and didn’t have any lingering effects. But while lying in the hospital bed all kinds of thoughts entered my head … about my mortality, the future, my wife and the ensuing ordeal she would have to deal with. But my biggest thoughts were about my children. I have two children: an adult stepson who lives in Colorado and a then-17-yearold daughter. What about them? What if I wasn’t around anymore? When stepson called me in the hospital, I could barely speak to him, partially because of my stroke but mainly because I was overcome with emotion. When I was home, 24 hours later, and finally starting to feel more like myself, it dawned on me how lucky I am. A feeling of gratitude overcame me – for my wife and children, and how fortunate I am. I wanted to be around for as long as I could. Not just for me, but for the people who love and rely on me. I’d like to see my stepson grow older and be able to witness all the important things he goes through. I’d like
to be there for his successes and to help him in any way I can. I want to see where his music takes him (he’s a guitar player). And my daughter, I wanted to be there when she graduates from high school, teach her to drive, see what she decides to do with her life and encourage her whatever she may choose. I wanted to be there for my kids, every moment, good or bad. When I was a teenager, my father suffered a stroke at the age of about 45, and from there he just went downhill. By 50 he was a shell of his former self, confined to a wheelchair. Not long afterward he passed away. He was 57. I didn’t want my children to go through that. So, with this renewed sense of wanting to be there for all the things previously mentioned, over the next few months I completely changed my lifestyle. I changed my diet: no more fried chicken and late night hot dogs, no more beer, less sodium and carbs. And I upped my exercise big time. For a few months I tried to negotiate with my doctors to have a glass of wine a couple of times a week. But since late December I have completely stopped drinking. A new diet and lifestyle, a sense of urgency. While I was in the midst of this, my stepson became one of my greatest cheerleaders. He called me all the time, and when a got to see him a month or so after the stroke, I’ll never forget him hugging me and not wanting to let go. My daughter stepped out of her comfort zone (and her teenaged self) and was more present than she’d been before. I got a lot of “I love you, Dad” and How’re you doing, Dad?” Since January, I’ve gotten myself into the best shape of my life – physically, mentally and emotionally. I have a
new sense of everything. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I’ve proved that wrong. I don’t worry anymore. Because of these changes I’m more present for everything. I always have been around for my kids … running with my little daughter in a stroller with my dog, coaching both of them in sports (though my daughter wasn’t really into that), watching my son play varsity baseball and play jazz guitar at the high school. But now it’s all different. I see my daughter off to school in the mornings and cherish it. We just spent a week at the Jersey Shore, and I took it all in as if it were the first time I had ever gone. And a trip to Colorado, where I watched my stepson perform with his band, hiked, and just cherished being with him and his partner and my whole family. I am grateful for every moment and don’t take any of it for granted. I look forward to teaching my daughter to drive, seeing my stepson perform with his band some more, and the little things, like a phone call or texting with my stepson, or my wife, daughter and I going out to eat. If I didn’t have the stroke I never would have gotten to this place, and it is a good one. On this Sunday this won’t be the usual Father’s Day. I don’t care what we do. All I know is my renewed sense of life has made me realize how being a dad is just about the most important thing to me. And I don’t want to miss a second of it.
BlueStone Press, June 17, 2022, Page 17
Kudos Local artist Jacqueline Oster part of ‘In the Pink’ exhibition Each month, the Arts Society of Kingston provides a prompt for their members to respond to, and this past May, the theme was “In the Pink” The phrase “in the pink” denotes positive feelings, such as healthiness, happiness and positivity. Members were allowed to display up to three pieces, with no charge for the first piece. Among many works featured was “Spring Bike,” a painting by local artist Jacqueline Oster. All the artwork for the members exhibition “In the Pink” will be available for purchase until 6 p.m. Sunday, June 26, online at askforarts.org.
Rondout Valley seniors receive scholarships Forty-six members of Rondout Valley High School Class of 2022, plus one graduate of RVHS who is pursuing the nursing program at SUNY Ulster, received over $43,500 for 76 scholarships sponsored by the community-based Rondout Valley Scholarship Fund Inc. at an Awards Night ceremony on June 6. Since its beginning in 1965, the RVSF has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to 1,857 Rondout Valley students. Rondout Valley Scholarship Fund Academic Achievement Scholarships – Stephen Barnum, Magnolia Flamhaft, Gianna Koch, Christina LaFiandra, Angelina Turner; Kathryn Cross Memorial – Ella Meoli; Whendi Friedman-Farris Memorial – Eleanor Gonzales; Gordon Thomas Memorial – Lauren Dunn; Rondout Valley Scholarship Fund Career Scholarships – Marc Cathcart, Laurel Cimino, Kelder Creegan, Christian DeGrote, Una Flynn, Holly Hrabovsky, Ethan King, Colette Papin, Adrian Peck; Rondout Valley Federation Memorial – Azure Jones; Ulster Savings – Kelder Creegan; Francis X. and Elizabeth H. Tucker Memorial – Stella Raponi; Rondout Valley Little League – Emma Markle, Daniel Harkin; Rondout Valley Business Association – Colette Papin; Stone Ridge Wine & Spirits – Ella Laskowski; Eastern Star, Wawarsing Chapter – Ethan Koch; Brandon Arnold Martin Memorials – Michael Lamaruggine, Timothy Traver; Haber Fund – Ethan Decker, Meghan Merck; Coach John D. Meehan Memorial – Carter Cafiero; Charles F. Ayasse Sr. Memorial – Olivia Bonelli; Denkensohn Family Memorial – Michael Goodin; Rondout Valley Girls Soccer – Kelder Creegan; FDNY Lt. Robert M. Hess and Kenny McEvoy Memorials – Marc Cathcart, Christian DeGrote; Frank and Dorothy Lynch Memorial – John Mehalak; WISE – Ethan King; Wendy J. Shuster Visual Arts – Adrian Peck; Bonnie Schlosser Memorials – Josh Neumann, Sophia Schoonmaker; Rondout Valley Superintendent’s Valedictory – Ethan Koch; Gladys M. Gray “One Minute Without Pain” Memorials – Emma Gillis, Emma Markle; Mitchell J. Gleich – Sophia Schoonmaker; Chief Eddie Miller Memorial – Landon Frey; RVSF Alumni Fund – Laurel Cimino; Fay Wilkins Memorial – Hunter Lapp; Sandi Zinaman Literary – Holly Hrabovsky; Eileen Previll Memorial – Gianna Koch; Angelina C. and Ambrose N. Previll Memorial – Magnolia Flamhaft; The Gladys
M. Gray “One Minute Without Pain” Scholarships for a graduate of Rondout Valley High School who is now in clinical nursing at SUNY Ulster – Natalie Hayes; Philliber Research Associates – Daniel Harkin; Steve and Jordan Hilsenbeck Memorial – Shafil Sabbir; Sharon Pagliaroni Mertine – Braydon O’Connor; Inger Hagen Memorials – Lindzy Carlson, Timothy Traver; Eleanor Dewitt Memorial – Shafil Sabbir; Dorothy Edwards Memorial – Lili Vitek; Robert D. Cook Jr. Memorial – Katherine Reynolds; Jeffery P. Mahoney Scholarship – Carmine Carlucci; Sgt. Glenn Van Kleeck Memorial – Landon Frey; S. Paul Berger Science Scholarship – Makayla Penny; Wood-Meyer Scholarships – Christina Lafiandra, Lili Vitek; “Grassi Built” Eric Scott Grassi Memorials – Colin VanWagenen, Dalton Wells; Severyn “Joe” Hasbrouck Jr. Memorial – Josh Neumann; Vivian Hasbrouck Memorial – Ella Laskowski; Michael Angelo Polcari Sr. Memorial – Kyra Lowery; Alice Schoonmaker Memorial – Una Flynn; Erica Bell Memorial – Lauren Dunn; Jake Biergans Memorial – Lindzey Carlson.
Carter Cafiero awarded Rochester Residents Association Community Scholarship The Rochester Residents Association presented its Community Scholarship to 2022 Rondout Valley High School graduate Carter Cafiero. At Rondout, Cafiero was a member of the varsity football team for three years, and during his senior year, he was team captain and most valuable player. He also played varsity baseball for two years and was named to the school's honor roll several times. Cafiero plans to attend SUNY Cortland, where he will study business. "We are pleased to be able to honor Cafiero Carter's achievements and to award him our Community Scholarship," said Zali Win, president of the Rochester Residents Association. The RRA has provided more than $25,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors over the past 20 years. For information, email resident@accord-kerhonkson.com.
Rondout awarded for outstanding commitment to music education For the fourth year in a row, Rondout Valley School District was honored with a “Best Communities for Music Education” designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. “The Best Communities for Music Education” designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate special achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify, RVSD a nswered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the music programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. “This prestigious designation was awarded to 738 school districts nationwide, and I am proud of Rond-
5752 Route 209 Kerhonkson (845) 626-4747
The audience enjoys music from grade 8 saxophonist Hudson Paley during a recent show held at Rondout Valley High School.
out Valley for being one of them,” said Randolph Loder, Rondout Valley High School director of band and Music Department liaison. “It recognizes the hard work and accomplishments of our kids, the high-quality music education provided by our faculty, and the strong support of our community.” For info, visit rondout.k12.ny.us or call 845-687-2400.
Gander student Michael Lamaruggine receives BOCES Principal’s Award The Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center recognized 465 Ulster County students who completed their trades’ technical endorsement requirements during two Senior Tribute and Exhibition of Learning Ceremonies on June 14 at the Port Ewen campus. Each program wrapped up the celebrations with a school-wide curated exhibition of the students’ work. Principal’s Award recipient Michael Lamaruggine, from the Rondout Valley School District, has spent his junior and senior years in the Cisco & CybersecuriLamaruggine ty program and maintains an A average. He has already earned six college credits through the program’s articulation agreement with SUNY Ulster. Lamaruggine, who placed first in the 2022 SkillsUSA State Conference in the Community Action category, will be competing in the SkillsUSA Nationals event in Atlanta this summer. He also participated in the Ulster County Summer Youth Employment Program. “The criteria for this award were about overcoming obstacles and thereby achieving success,” said Lamaruggine. “While I have had many obstacles to overcome, I chose to focus on my goals.” He explained how saying to BOCES led him to six college credits, certificates and certifications, and two years of IT technician experience. He added that with the Summer Youth Employment program, he gained additional experience and a paycheck. He was also glad he competed at the New York State SkillsUSA Competition in Community Action, as now he will be traveling to Atlanta to compete at SkillsUSA Nationals. “I believe that each of us at the Career & Technical Center is capable of achieving anything we want to do.” Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center students include juniors and seniors from throughout the eight component school districts in Ulster County. More than 900 students attend each year.
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June 17, 2022
… and the livin’ is easy It’s been a June for the record books. Day after day of easy temps and humidity, cobalt skies, cloud castles on every horizon. It’s the kind of weather that makes a person feel like they can do anything. Unfortunately, the “anything” I’ve been doing most is battling nature. Maybe Miracle Grow has been infused into jet chemtrails. How else to explain the columbines, which are 3 feet tall and still rising? The large group of pink foxgloves that have denned in the backyard? The rose bed so packed with scented petals, there’s barely room for leaves? It would be quite wonderful if it wasn’t for the fact that this generous turbo-charge has hit both the growing things we love, and the growing things we do not. Weeds are a plant subset my naturalizing-flowers style of gardening has always managed to contain. Casual and jam-packed is the look I go for, and it works great, except when it doesn’t. This year, the weeds are unstoppable, pushing up stems and leaves where there is no reasonable or unreasonable room. They tunnel right under favored varieties, crowding out the crowdings of phlox and prairie sunflower and clustered bellflower, and then some. Bittersweet is strangling the shrubs, grapevines and poison ivy are yanking down a pear tree, mugwort is spreading a wide silver carpet on the side lawn. But most hideous and insidious of all is the bishop’s weed, yet another European lifeform that hit America’s
Susan Krawitz
shores and turned monster. I didn’t grow it on purpose –it Trojan Horsed onto my property in a pot containing something else. Like most plants I grow, it was a division from a friend’s garden, which offers the double bonus of a free plant and a sweet emotional tie. Unfortunately, the bishop’s weed donor has since departed the friend category, and the emotional resonance their accidental weed offers is sweet’s polar opposite. To make things worse, the bishop’s weed seems to have focused malevolent intent. It’s strangling the azalea my writer’s group gave me when my first novel was published, bullying the coneflower I dug up from my friend Lisa’s garden just before she moved away, and giving the gorgeous daylilies I got at the library fair a death-defying run for their money. These precious early summer mornings are meant for coffee on a porch, listening to bird song, enjoying scented blooms. I wish I had time for that stuff. To keep ahead of the wild weeds, I have to spend them weed whacking, mowing, and yanking. Still, nothing seems to stop or even slow them. Oh, to be that hardy. I was sidelined for a week with a weed-yanking backache. But it forced me to work smarter, not harder, which is why a chunk of my front garden is now covered in squares of metal roofing and black rubber tarps. “Solarizing” is the technical term for this method. “Cook those m*@## %&&* ‘til they’re dead” is the vernacular one. It’s not exactly a nice look for a summer garden. In fact, if I wasn’t way beyond the caringabout-looks point, I’d call it as ugly as ugly gets. Luckily, I have a plant oasis in a greenhouse, a tiny but controllable environment entirely free of malevolent weeds. But a few weeks ago, I was transplanting seedlings into larger pots when heard the sound of something fall-
ing on the plastic roof. Ping, ping, ping! On and on it went. Was it starting to rain? When I went outside and looked up at the sky to check, something fell on my face. It was caterpillar frass, aka, poop. I spotted a cluster of them in the oak branches hanging over greenhouse’s north side. And soon I began to notice them on other trees as well. Bristle-black with red dots, they resemble the “’gypsy moth” caterpillars that ravage local woodlands on and off. And that’s exactly what they are, but with a new name. They’re now called “spongy moth” caterpillars after the texture of their egg cases. But they’re still the same exact eeeeewwww. They come in sizes ranging from cute to HOLY SPAWN OF MOTHRA. And though I’ve always been a live-and-letlive kind of person, finding them on the apple trees I had to plant after fire blight terminated the orchard has turned me lethal. I fling them, I drown them, I squish them in half. Yes, when I shake them off the trees, they often fall in my hair. And when they’re pinched, green splurge can spray my face. See above mention of way-beyond-caring. Go ahead, Spongies. Make my day. So, good morning, June. It’s time once again to yank. Weed whack. Pinch and drown. I’m aware that my current June morning routine may continue through July and August and September too. And that’s OK. I’ll do what it takes to enjoy some summer harmony, peace, and beauty. Even if it doesn’t happen until frost.
I was running Now that my broken foot and jacked-up ankle are back to semi-normal, I thought I would start running, again. I mean, I went to physical therapy for a few weeks, isn’t that enough? It has been a few months since my injury, isn’t that enough? Now, I am not the most patient person on the planet, so, of course, I didn’t take my time. I jumped right in with the determination of a marathoner. I did try to convince myself that I was taking my time. Therein lies the difference between reality and what we convince ourselves is the truth. Sigh. Off I went to Rondout High School. I thought … it’s a track … it’s bouncy…it’s OK. Everything will be fine! And, it was. I ran 2 miles and walked 1. Not too shabby. I was sore but that was to be expected. I hadn’t run since December. So, I felt pretty proud of myself. I figured I’d get back to my 5-mile run quickly, and life … and my body … would be as it once was. A couple of days later, I headed to the rail trail by Around town the trestle. I jogged 2 miles and walked 1. I wasn’t really thrilled with my decision because the rail trail isn’t bouncy. But everything was fine. It was fine! My ankle was a little swollen, but nothing I couldn’t stand. Stand … get it? I decided that I should stick to high school tracks. It was probably the smart thing to do, and now that I am old, I have to be wise. I decided to head back over to Rondout. It was Memorial Day weekend. The school and track were empty, and it was drizzling. Perfect. I drove to the visitor parking lot and there was an SUV there with a lone man sitting in it. OK, I like people but I don’t like people, so I headed over to the student parking lot. The track was locked. At this point, the only thing I’m running is out of patience. I decided to give it one last shot and headed over to that weird bus road that leads to the middle school. Yes, it’s weird. We never used that road back in my day. OMG. I AM old. I just typed “back in my day.” Ugh.
Kelly Wright
Getting back on track
Anyway, the gate was open to the track, so I went in and started warming up. I look over and see said SUV had moved to the student parking lot. I immediately think, “OK, first of all, why is he here? Second of all, why is he just sitting there like a creeper?” I started walking. Every time I pass the SUV, I give Creeper McGee the stink eye. Just to let him know I know. Because joggers always find the dead bodies, or they become one. I’m not trying to be on the front page of the BlueStone Press. At that point, I decided I was over it and headed back to my car. I was wet and uncomfortable in several different
ways. I get to my car and the guy drives by me on the weird road. OK. Listen. If you are a man and you’re hanging out in your car, please let me give you some advice. Think of this as a PSA, if you will. You are super creepy! Just leave, please. Especially if there’s a lone woman in the area. Even if you have no agenda, are just taking a non-conspiratorial moment, or really just did not realize or consider the level of your creepiness, our imaginations run wild! So go find a place where there are people. Or no people – that’s even better. If a lone woman happens to show up, do her and all of us a solid courtesy and go someplace else. Mmk? Thanks. I wonder if any of you realized my run became a jog and ended up being a walk. Truth be told, I am old and all that running made my ankle become swollen. I guess I should practice patience and give it more time to heal. This shouldn’t be a problem because I’m burnt out. Everyone I talk to is feeling the same way. Post-pandemic burn-out. Or, maybe, this is just what old age feels like. If so, I’m pretty mad about it. My body feels old but my mind refuses to believe it. Well, the good news is that the track at Rondout is way better than the track at Dietz. I tried running there, too. But, it was a Sunday and I didn’t read the sign that said you had to run the opposite way on Sundays. I really think I need to find a better way of working off my old-age muffin top. Or, as I like to call it, my Meno-Muffin. Because, after writing this, methinks running causes too much trouble.
BlueStone Press, June 17, 2022, Page 19
Bubble tea We are solidly into summer, regardless of what the calendar says. And bubble tea, also known as boba, is already the season favorite for a second year, as well as an international sensation for far longer. And make no mistake, its consumption here in the Hudson Valley where we have four seasons (five if you include monsoon season), is not restricted to any particular one. Bubble tea is hogged down 365. I was an early skeptic. Anything that is not something I know pretty well, and that is requested (demanded!) by my young teenager is immediately flagged as a clever ruse/cammo vehicle for sugar and/or caffeine. In this way, I am Wally Nichols not off the mark because it has plenty of both. But the beverage (which also seems to only come in full-on, two hands required, American supersize) is more complicated than a smoothie or mochaccino one might also find in a lot of center consoles. This milk tea beverage has its origins in Taiwan and first was invented, legend has it, in the mid-’80s at a place called Han Lin Tea Room. The bubbles refer to the frothy
Put a fork in it
Horoscopes The planets are giving one another room to be able to work independently and on their own. Two planets are retrograde – Pluto and Saturn. Pluto helps determine the greater goals of society whether we want it or not. Saturn gives us a choice of a higher nature – Are we willing to learn and to grow? Pluto is square Mars – Can we adjust to changing circumstances? Saturn square Venus – How will change affect our pocketbooks or our goals? These are only a few of the issues we face this cycle. The new Moon in Cancer on the 29th makes us recognize the emotional issues we’re facing.
Your Zodiac Joanne Ferdman
ARIES: 3/21 to 4/19: Mars, your ruling planet, continues to be positioned in your 1st solar house of personality. You’re able to move fast and decisively to achieve positive goals – an enviable position since the choice will be yours. The new Moon in Cancer helps you understand the emotional qualities you face – be sure to follow your inclination.
TAURUS: 4/20 to 5/20: Venus, your ruling planet, is positioned on the cusp of your 2nd solar house of money. Presently Mars, the planet of action, is positioned in your 12th house, behind the scenes. In the next few weeks Mars will be in position to move in your favor – to the 1st house – when you can expect positive career information with the new Moon. GEMINI: 5/21 to 6/20: Mercury, your ruling planet, is positioned in your 1st solar house of personality and is
milk when it’s shaken at birth. Andrew Chau, author of “The Boba Book: Bubble Tea and Beyond,” explains that “Boba” used to be Taiwanese slang for big breasts, but over time, the language relaxed to include anything that looked like big balls and lost its political incorrectness. So, for the uninitiated wondering where this is going, the main attraction of the beverage is the large tapioca balls that bonk around the bottom. Claiming zero nutritional value, their contribution is more of visual and sensory novelty that requires a massive-diameter straw to hoover up from the bottom where they lurk. Also to the uninitiated, it’s a little unnerving to see, ummm, things … in the bottom of a beverage. But eatink (my word for eating and drinking at the same time) them is kinda fun. (Maybe my excitement is fueled by the sugar and caffeine?!?) Bubble tea shops have popped up everywhere there is a bit of a town. For us, Kingston, New Paltz and Middletown fit the bill. But it’s a matter of time before we get a shop that triangulates all three. And you can mail order the tapioca balls and have at it in your home, less the sizzling pink neon lights found in a typical boba shop. In addition to the confectionary bliss and colorful pastel presentation, bubble tea has a social cohesion (and media) element that the younger generations inherently get in a way their stodgy parents or grandparents might
not. Bubble tea shops have become social gathering spots – a model Starbucks set in motion for Boomers and Gen X-ers, once upon a time. How can I not mention that between the four key ingredients (tapioca balls, or pearls, which are made from cassava root ground into a starch, black tea, milk and a syrupy sweetener), you or your teen are onboarding massive quantities of health-challenging sugar (up to 54 grams per serving). Studies have shown a bubble tea link to heart disease, obesity, liver problems and type 2 diabetes. Social media cuts both ways. Recently, rumors were circulating that bubble tea caused cancer due to the presence of styrene, which is a chemical used in manufacturing. According to Rachel Link of Healthline, the related study was questionable, never published nor peer reviewed, and the rumor was dismissed as invalid. But, to be expected, variations of boba are constantly being created, some leaning toward less caffeine and sugar. If you haven’t tried this cool, multidimensional meal/ dessert/beverage/sugar high, it’s worth seeing what all the fuss is about. It will make you feel 20 years younger and 20 years older at the same time!
conjunct Venus. With the Sun in the 2nd house of money, you will possibly hear good news in that arena. The new Moon on the 29th in Cancer may introduce you to learning a new skill.
planet, is positioned in your 5th solar house of children and creativity. Mars shares the location and allows you to make plans that will benefit all, such as a family vacation. At the new Moon, you’ll begin to realize everyone enjoyed the special event that took place and feels renewed from the experience.
CANCER: 6/21 to 7/20: The new Moon on the 29th is positioned in your 1st solar house of personality and is conjunct the Sun in your sign of Cancer. The Sun is also conjunct the Ascendant, suggesting this will be an important birthday for you. You may decide to begin a study that will lead to a new interest that will keep you busy for a while. LEO: 7/21 to 8/22: The Sun, your ruling planet, is positioned on the cusp of 12th solar house of things that are hidden from you. It’s possible you’re not feeling up to par, but please keep your activities moving – this is just your slow time. You will perk up again as soon as you reach your next birthday. VIRGO: 8/23 to 9/22: Mercury, your ruling planet, is conjunct Venus in your 10th solar house of career. The new Moon in Cancer on the 29th helps increase your sensitivity and creative ability – leading to positive results. Your usual sense of structure and order completes the picture of your present sense of well-being. LIBRA: 9/23 to 10/22: Venus, your ruling planet, is conjunct Mercury in your 9th solar house of communication and education. You’re also busy showing off your intelligence to friends and family – winning a popularity contest. The new Moon on the 29th introduces an emotional quality to understanding your relationships. SCORPIO: 10/23 to 11/22: Mars and Pluto, your two ruling planets, are in square formation between Aries and Capricorn. Mars moves fast to reach goal while Pluto seeks success through perseverance. If you understand the emotional quality, it will be easier to achieve these goals when making the appropriate change.
CAPRICORN: 12/22 to 1/20: Saturn, your ruling planet, continues in your 2nd solar house of money. However, your primary focus is divided between sociability and an intense desire for success, making it difficult to balance health and activities with the family. The new Moon will help you realize how much your family means to you. AQUARIUS: 1/21 to 2/19: Uranus, a very slow-moving planet and your ruler, continues to be positioned in your 4th solar house of home and family. While your concentration, as usual, is on your work – vacation looms large, and plans are being considered. The new Moon in Cancer will help firm up plans for a family outing. PISCES: 2/20 TO 3/20: Neptune, another slow-moving planet, remains in your 1st solar house of personality. However, Jupiter wants to expand your income - and Mars is pushing you to take some action. Your talent is showing and wants to be appreciated. Unfortunately, the new Moon will slow you down as summer fun beckons. Joanne is available for private/personized consultations at 561-744-9962. Treat yourself – learn what to expect from the current transits and receive an overview of your longterm goals.
SAGITTARIUS: 11/23 to 12/21: Jupiter, your ruling
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Page 20, June 17, 2022, BlueStone Press
FOR THE FAMILY Rondout Valley United Methodist Church Car Show Enjoy amazing, beautiful cars, music with DJ Brian, door prizes and awards, 50/50 raffle, food, refreshments by Matt, free water all day and more, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at Rondout Valley United Methodist Church, 25 Schoonmaker Lane, Stone Ridge. Registration at 9 a.m. and judging at noon. Prizes for Best of Show, best motorcycle, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and Pastor’s Choice. Entry fee for show vehicles is $15, and free for spectators. Proceeds to benefit the RVMC Bell Tower Project. Visit rvumc.org or call 845-6879061 for information. ‘Welcome Home Bees’ class and pollinator party tomorrow in Stone Ridge Join the community from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 18, in SUNY Ulster’s Xeriscape Garden, 491 Cottekill Road, Stone Ridge, for “Welcome Home, Bees,” part of the Learning in the Garden Series, followed by a day of pollinator fun, filled with activities for the kids, informative talks, Pollina-tours of the garden, raffles, giveaways, and more. Come discover how to create a pollinator-friendly habitat in the backyard and celebrate pollinators. Dress for the weather and bring a lawn chair to this free event. For more information, email cmc534@cornell.edu or call 845-340-3990, ext. 335. Christ the King Episcopal Church Chicken Barbeque Pop-Up Carry Out That famous Chicken BBQ team is heading back to the grill for a pop-up, carry-out, chicken-only event, 3-5 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at the church, 3021 Route 213 East, Stone Ridge. Reserve half or whole chickens, and then swing by to pick them up hot on Saturday between 3-5 p.m. For more information and reservations, visit ctkstoneridge.org or call 845-687-9414. In-person story times at Little Ones Learning Center in Accord Little Ones Learning Center, a free early-literacy program for ages 0-6, located in the Rochester Reformed Church, 5142 Route 209, Accord, continues its in-person story times, 10 a.m.-noon each Wednesday and Saturday with upcoming story times on June 18, 22, 25 and 29. Enjoy stories, crafts and lots of fun. For more information, call Little Ones Learning Center at 845-626-4112 or Mary Lee, LLC treasurer, at 845-626-7249. Stone Ridge Library Knitting Group The Stone Ridge Library Knitters meet 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays in the activity room, at Stone Ridge Library, 3700 Main St., Stone Ridge, with the next upcoming
Grand Opening D&H Canal Museum and Mid-Hudson Visitor Center
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1213 MAin Street, High Falls 845-687-2000
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The Friends of the Rosendale Library Garden Tour starts at the Rosendale Library, 464 Main St., Rosendale.
Rosendale Library Garden Tour The Friends of Rosendale Library Garden Tour will be held, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 18, rain or shine and begin at the Rosendale Library, 464 Main St., Rosendale. Those who purchased tickets in advance and those purchasing them on June 18 will sign in outside the library and will be given a Garden Tour booklet containing a map of the tour, addresses for each garden that can be entered into a GPS, a description of each garden and information about the tour sponsors. This is
gatherings on June18 and 25. All ages and experience levels can join, and dropin knitters are also welcome. Bring your own supplies, do as much as wanted, and ask for help or advice if needed. Donations of yarn to the library get made into items for sale at the Library Fair and during the winter holidays for the benefit of the library. Some group members also knit things for local hospitals or for U.S. troops. For more information, visit stoneridgelibrary.org or call 845-6877023. The Rosendale Farmers Market Serving the community since 2006, the Rosendale Farmers Market is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each Sunday (June 19 and 26) in Willow Kiln Park, 5 Hardenburgh Lane, Rosendale. Vendors include Momemade all natural vegan dog treats, local potter Kila Bates, Manifest Coffee, Fiddlehead Farm (thefiddleheadway.com), Wrights Farm (eatapples.com), Spruce Run & Stoney Ridge Farm (sr-srfarm.com), Three Sisters Farm (on Facebook as the Three Sisters Farm), HV Heirloom Farm (hvheirloomfarm.com), Acorn Hill Farm & Creamery (acornhillfarmny. com), Bonticou Ducks (bonticouducks. com), Hermans Erie Hotel, and Cereghino Smith Wines (cereghinosmith.com). Visit rosendalefarmersmarketny.com. Stone Ridge Farmers & Makers Market Join the community and meet local farmers and makers of all kinds, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, May-December, rain or shine, at Stone Ridge Orchard, 3012 Route 213, Stone Ridge, with upcoming markets on June 19 and 26. The weekly event features just-picked fruit and vegetables, local meats, fresh baked goods,
a self-guided tour, so attendees are free to view the gardens in any order they choose and stay as long as they want between the 10 a.m.-4 p.m. tour hours. Each garden on the tour will be marked with signage. Follow the parking instructions. Be respectful and careful while walking in the gardens and stay on pathways. No pets or strollers. Tickets are $30. Children over 2 are half price. For more information, call 845658-9013 or visit rosendalelibrary.org.
apple cider, hard cider, and a celebration of maker-made specialty foods and products. Local vendors include 1857 Spirits Barber’s Farm Distillery, Bonticou Ducks, Breezy Hill Orchard, Cooper’s Daughter Spirits at Olde York Farm, Faithfully Yours Atelier, Hepworth Farm, Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider, Kingston Bread and Bar, Knoll Krest Farm, Lilly Bear Treats, Meat Things, Momemade Dog Treats, Namai, Ram’s Valley, Ritual Powders, Stone Ridge Orchard, Terra & Twine, the Ardent Homesteader, Tree Juice Maple Syrup and Marvin Gardens. Come and make a day of it, meeting the alpacas, having a picnic under the big apple tree. Enjoy pizza and locally sourced fare served up by the Stone Ridge Orchard chef or have a drink at the farm bar. For more information, visit srfmm.com or call 845-687-2587. Mindful Mondays with Aimee Trumbore Join the community at 2 p.m. Mondays, June 20 and 27, via Zoom or in person, at the Stone Ridge Library, 3700 Main St., Stone Ridge, to develop awareness, cultivate more presence, and strengthen the ability to bring mindfulness into day-to-day life. These weekly drop-in sessions will include a short talk on the topic of the week, guided meditation, and opportunity for discussion. All levels of practitioners are welcome, no previous experience required. Mindful Mondays are led by Aimee Trumbore, certified Mindfulness Meditation teacher. For more information and registration, visit stoneridgelibrary.org or call 845687-7023. Writers group with Cathy Arra Two separate writers groups meet 4:30-6:30
p.m. on alternate Mondays at the Stone Ridge Library in the activity room, 3700 Main St., Stone Ridge, with a maximum of 10 participants in each group. The program is designed for those who are actively writing and publishing work and who want to participate in a structured, critical feedback process. Cathy Arra, a poet, writer and former teacher of English and writing in the Rondout Valley School District, facilitates the groups. The next meetings for Group 1 is June 20, and for Group 2 on June 27. Email carra22@aol.com to join a group. Clove Valley Community Farm work party Join Aileah, the farmer, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays (June 21 and 28) and/or 4 p.m.-dark, Thursdays (June 23 and 30), to spend time outdoors, connect with the soil, be and work with the plants, and celebrate the summer season with others in the gardens, at Clove Valley Community Farm, 81 Clove Valley Road, High Falls. Open to all ages and abilities. Text Aileah to join the work party, at 570-762-2872 and visit clovevalleycommunityfarm.com for more information. Basic sewing workshop for ages 16+ in Stone Ridge The Career and Continuing Education department of SUNY Ulster is offering a basic sewing workshop, 11 a.m.2 p.m. Tuesdays (June 21, 28, July 5 and 12), at SUNY Ulster, 491 Cottekill Road, Stone Ridge. The program includes layout, cutting, construction and finishing of garments. Attendees will learn the basics of hand sewing, machine sewing, and use of a commercial pattern to sew a top and skirt. This course is open to students ages 16+. To take the class, students will need: 8-inch fabric shears, paper scissors, seam ripper, thread clipper, 60inch tape measure, a clear see-thru 2" x 18" ruler, a magnetic pin cushion, #17 steel dressmaker straight pins, assorted hand-sewing needles, Chaco tailors chalk pens 4 color LS-2000, Bernina bobbin case for model 1008, at least five Bernina bobbins, New Look Sewing Pattern #N6697A and fabric (consult instructor). For registration and cost, email Barbara Reer at reerb@sunyulster.edu. Basics for Beginners Yoga in Stone Ridge Whole Sky Yoga, at 3588 Main St., Stone Ridge, presents Basics for Beginners, an in-person yoga program, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, June 21 and 28. For more information, visit wholeskyyoga.com or call 845-706-3668. Rosendale Seniors next meeting and upcoming trips The Town of Rosendale Seniors meetings are held at 1 p.m. every second (July 13) and fourth Wednesday (June 22) of the month, at the Rosendale Recreation Center, 1055 Route 32, Rosendale. On July 19, the group will travel to River View Inn in Matamoras, Pennsylvania, for lunch and a show, “Jo Jo Russell, Man of a Thousand Laughs,” for $58 per person. Bus leaves from the Rec Center at 8:45 a.m. A visit to Myrtle Beach is also planned for Sept. 11-17. Trip includes six nights lodging, 10 meals (six breakfasts and four dinners), three evening shows, Barefoot Landing (unique and popular shopping and dining area), Myrtle Beach boardwalk and more. Cost is $739/person double occupancy. For more info, call Chickie at 845-658-2414 or Hal at 845-658-9020. Poetry with Rosemary Dean Join the community via Zoom, 1:30-3 p.m. every other Thursday, with the next meeting on June 23. This program is presented by the Stone Ridge Library. Contact Rosemary Dean at rmdeen@gmail.com to join the group. All-ages Chess Hour at the Rosendale Library Every Thursday, 4-5 p.m., June 23 and 30, enjoy playing chess, all ages, all levels, at the Rosendale Library, 264
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BlueStone Press, June 17, 2022, Page 21 Events continued from page 20 Main St., Rosendale. For more information, call 845-658-9013 or visit rosendalelibrary.org. Junior Sportsmen’s Program takes aim at knowledge and safety for all Each Thursday at 6 p.m., May-October (next ones on June 23 and 30), students of all ages come out to the Marbletown Sportsmen’s Club Junior Sportsmen’s Program. The archery class, taught by Pete Sarr, chairperson of the program, is alternated every other Thursday with firearms, with both programs held at the Marbletown Sportsmen’s Club, 95-105 Scarawan Road, Stone Ridge. Students of every level, from first timers to seasoned hunters, from kids to mature adults, learn everything from the proper stance to how to hold the bow and gun to the proper terminology on the range, and much more, all emphasizing proper safety. All necessary equipment is provided for the program at no cost. Call Sarr at 845- 687-9305 or visit marbletownsportsmensclub.com. Rondout Valley Lions Club Yard Sale and installation dinner New members, men and women of all ages, are wanted and encouraged to join the Rondout Valley Lions Club, serving the towns of Marbletown, Rochester and Rosendale since Oct. 18, 1950. During this time, they have helped those in need, whether it is for sight, hearing, medical emergencies or any worthwhile cause. “We serve” is their motto, and this is what they do. The RVLC Yard Sale will be held, 9 a.m.3 p.m., Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, at 2 Rock Hill Road, High Falls. Something for everyone, men, women, children and pets too. The next meeting of the club is at the installation dinner, 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, at the Marbletown Inn, 2842 Route 209, Marbletown. For more information on being included in the club’s next meeting, contact Janet Sutter at janet.sutter@aol.com. Barbeque & swing dance at the Ashokan Center Join the community at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 25, in the outdoor Killian Pavillion, at the Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge, for an opening-night barbeque, concert and dance with Jay Ungar & Molly Mason and members of the Western & Swing Week teaching staff. For more information, visit ashokancenter.org or call 845-6578333. Pond Exploration for all ages at Minnewaska Join Diana Beckenhaupt, Student Conservation Association/ AmeriCorps environmental educator, 10 a.m.-noon. Sunday, June 26, to search the pond with dip nets, take a closer look at anything found and return them to their home once we have examined them. Any children participating in this program must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Note that ticks are highly active in the areas surrounding the pond, so dress appropriately and be prepared. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Preregistration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845255-0752. Marbletown Seniors meetings and trips The Seniors hold their meetings at the Marbletown Community Center, 3564 Main St., across from Key Bank in Stone Ridge, noon on the first Friday, July 1 (bring a dish to share or drop $3 in the basket on the food table), and 1 p.m. on the third Friday, July 15 (bring a dessert to share or drop $2 in the basket on the dessert table), each month. The bus departs at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, for the excursion to the Waterfront at Silver Birches, Pennsylvania, featuring “Voices of Legends” with Eric Kerns singing Elvis, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Ray Charles and more. Cost of $50 trip includes family-style menu of roast pork loin, herb-crusted roast beef, dessert, coffee, tea or iced tea. On Wednesday, Oct. 19, the bus takes off at 9:30 a.m. to travel to the Riverview Inn, Matamoras, Pennsylvania. The group will sing, dance, laugh and remember as Rich Wilson sings songs of “Days of Yesterday.” Appetizers will be given upon arrival, and lunch at noon includes salad, breast of chicken and top round beef, vegetables and potato, with dessert, coffee, tea, iced tea, soda and open bar with beer and wine. Cost $52. All trips leave from, and return to, Marbletown
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‘Traversing the Earth,’ a group exhibition ‘Finding North,’ Touching different dimensions of a special live nature, anthropology and archeology, the group exhibit “Traversing the Earth” feapresentation tures Rimer Cardillo, Luz Castaneda, Elisa Pritzker and Greg Slick. tonight at the The show opens to the public 2-4 p.m. Rosendale Theatre Saturday, June 18, with a tea porch reception, and is on view through Sunday, July 3, at the gallery, at 11 Mohonk Road, High Falls. Rimer Cardillo was awarded a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship (1997), was recipient of three New York Foundation for the Arts scholarships, exhibited a 10-year survey of work at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, represented Uruguay at the 2001 Venice Biennial, guest lectured at London's Tate Modern (2003), did his first career survey at the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, SUNY New Paltz (2004), installation at Temple Space-Kiscell Museum, Budapest, Hungary (2010), exhibit at the Nassau County Museum of Art (2011), the Art Museum of the Americas in Washington, D.C. (2016), and the National Museum of Visual Arts in Montevideo (2019). His work includes prints, photographs, sculptures and installations. Luz Castaneda was born in Brazil. She is a self-taught artist, a biologist with a Ph.D. in genetics, educator, and researcher in the sacred language of nature. Her series “Urban Orishas” was shown at ArtOnLink all over NYC (2011). Her personal philosophy is: “Be your own master and tell your own story through the brushes. Be the painter of your life!” Elisa Pritzker is an Argentine-born American artist working in two- and three-dimensional art along with installations. She has exhibited at MoMA, Queens Museum, Dorsky Museum, Skirball Museum, Akin Museum, Espronceda Barcelona, K-Salon Berlin, the Hudson Valley MOCA [formerly HVCCA Museum], Hammond Museum, Saletta Kinzica Art Gallery in Italy, Casa Argentina in Jerusalem, Arte x Arte/Luz & Alfonso Castillo Foundation in Buenos Aires. She has been a part of the 2015 Jerusalem Biennale, 2015/16 Iceland Biennale, Affordable Art Fairs in New York City and London, UK, London Biennale/ Creative Village Medienparty in Berlin, Germany, Pinta Fair New York City, Fountain Art Fair New York City, and arteBA in Buenos Aires. She was selected as the U.S. artist representative for “The Pyramids of Naxos” environmental art project at the 2004 Greece Olympics. She was represented by Franklin 54 Gallery in New York City (2004-2012). Greg Slick is a visual artist and independent curator. Most recently he has exhibited in “The Longue Durée” at Holland Tunnel Newburgh and “One Thing Leads to Another” at the Lockwood Gallery, Kingston. He is the founder and co-curator of the artists’ collective The International Society of Antiquaries. Wired gallery hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit thewiredgallery.com or call 682-564-5613.
Gold Rumi, poems, chants, stories and music with Haleh Liza Gafori at Kiva Vocalist, poet and translator, Haleh Liza Gafori will share new translations of poems by the Persian mystic and sage Rumi at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 26, at Kiva, behind Marbletown Multi-Arts (MaMA),
Elisa Pritzker
In celebration of the Juneteenth National Independence Day holiday, Maverick Concerts and the Rosendale Theatre Collective present a special live production of “Finding North” by David Gonzalez, 7 p.m. tonight, Friday, June 17, at the Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main St., Rosendale. This project, supported in part by an award from the National Endowment of the Arts and written by Gonzalez, tells the story of the African American Underground Railroad hero, John P. Parker. “‘Finding North’ is a celebration of the ongoing quest for freedom and justice in the United States,” commented Gonzalez. Performer/director Daniel Carlton will captivate the audience with his one-man performance of John Parker and all the other characters, while accompanied by Gonzalez playing blues guitar. The piece concludes with a dynamic audience talk-back. Admission is by donation. For information, visit rosendaletheatre.org or 658-8989.
Celebrating Aging Series presents ‘The Alte Cocker Comedy Show’
Luz Castaned
Rimer Cardillo
Greg Slick
3588 Main St., Stone Ridge. Accompanied by master musicians, bansuri flautist Steve Gorn and percussionist Shane Shanahan, she’ll sing dashes of the Persian text, offering Rumi glimpses into the astonishing rhythm, rhyme and wordplay that propels Rumi’s original poems. For more information, visit cometomama.org or call 845-853-5154.
It was back in the 1890s when urban audiences began retreating to the hotels, resorts and bungalows in the Catskill Mountains. For young performers, playing the “Borscht Belt” in Ulster and Sullivan counties was a steppingstone and career-making bootcamp. Lenny Bruce, Jerry Lewis, Milton Berle, Danny Kaye, Phyllis Diller, Jackie Mason, Joan Rivers, Don Rickles, etc., all cut their teeth there. As did writer-comedians such as Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks and Joey Bishop, authors of Veduccio early TV sitcoms. Ultimately, it was this cohort of brilliant comedic performers who laid the groundwork for generations to come, inspiring folks like Jerry Seinfeld, Billy Crystal, Larry David, Woody Allen, Ben Herschenfeld Stiller and so on. “The Alte Cocker Comedy Show” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main St., Rosendale. While the show’s title is a nostalgic tip-of-thehat to the birthplace of DeVito American performance comedy, the headliners are all about this moment in time. The evening's lineup includes veteran comedy headliner Joe DeVito, wildly popular comedian, actor and opera sing- Blaustein er Ethan Herschenfeld, award-winning writer, performer and comedic actress Becky Veduccio, and Marcia Blaustein, a laugh machine from the old school who begrudgingly writes advertising copy by day and vents her frustrations at clubs around NYC at night. For more information, visit rosendaletheatre.org or call 845-658-8989.
Page 22, June 17, 2022, BlueStone Press Events continued from page 21 Reformed Church, 3750 Main St./Route 209, Stone Ridge, across from the post office. Call Sharon Letus, trip chairperson, at 845-687-9162 for information.
ARTS, MUSIC, BODY & MIND Root. Write. Transform. The Alchemy of Writing virtual class with Tanya Robie Join this virtual writing class, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, June 25-July 30, (Community Write, 10-11a.m. Mondays and Thursdays, optional). Writing is alchemy; it’s the transformation of thoughts, memories, or imaginings into art; stories, poems, books, songs. Writing turns thoughts to things. With transformation, comes healing. This series will offer spiritual practices and lessons in craft to mine the bodyscape for the story within. Each class will open with breathwork and meditation and offer time for collective learning, practicing and sharing. Facilitator Tanya Robie teaches writing as a spiritual practice. With over a decade of professional experience at the page and on the yoga mat, she offers a unique approach that invites a creative vision to root and soar. For more information and to sign up, visit wholeskyyoga.com or call 215-840-6473. Saturday Creature Feature presents ‘Dracula’ (1931) “Dracula” will be shown at 10 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at the Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main St., Rosendale. Admission is $10/$6 members. The dashing, mysterious Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), after hypnotizing a British real estate agent, Renfield (Dwight Frye), into becoming his mindless slave, travels to London and takes up residence in an old abbey. Soon Dracula begins to wreak havoc, sucking the blood of young women and turning them into vampires. When he sets his sights on Mina (Helen Chandler), the daughter of a prominent doctor, the vampire-hunter Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan) is enlisted to put a stop to the count’s never-ending bloodlust. For more information, call 845-6588989 or visit rosendaletheatre.org. Art & music in the woods at the Rail Trail Café There is a natural backdrop and canopy of trees, a small sound system, a few lights, and open ears and hearts at the Rail Trail Café, 310 River Road Extension, Rosendale. Upcoming performances include Sound Bath with Katie Down, 5:30 p.m. tonight, Friday, June 17; Mask maker, composer, performer and professor emeritus of music Norman Lowry, 1-3 p.m., and Shokoloko with Joakim Lartey on drums, percussion and voice; Chris Lane, guitar, banjo and electric and oud-guitar, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18; Spirit Brothers with Ev Mann, Ned Leavitt, Robert Bard and Joseph Jastrab, at 11 a.m., and Pollinator Pathways at 1 p.m., on Saturday, June 19; Levanta with Ev Mann, Thomas Workman, Gabriel Dresdale and Timothy Hill, 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 24; singer/songwriter Jim Posposil at 1 p.m. and Becoming Human with Jim Kunkel on guitars and Mickey Kopchak on effects, bass and vocals, and occasionally, Ron Wilson on drums and percussion at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 25; Gisela Stromer: Poem Journeys at 1 p.m., and Datura Road with David Budd on drums and percussion, Raphael Garritano, guitar and mandolin, and Bill Cochran, at 4 p.m., on Sunday, June 26; and the Guzmango quartet with tango enthusiast and saxophone player Guzman Blackburn, husband-andwife Jessica and Tony Jones on alto and tenor sax and gamelan, 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 1. A basket is passed at all events, and $10 or pay-what you can is suggested. “Please bring cash,” says the Rail Trail Café website. For more information, email Tara Johannesson at tgjohannessen@yahoo.com, visit railtrailcaferosendale.com or call 845-389-7714. Yoga on the lawn with Deb Jones Deb Jones from the Yoga House in Kingston will teach an hour-long class at 9 a.m., Saturdays, June 18 and 25, for all abilities, on the lawn at the Stone Ridge Library, 3700 Main St., Stone Ridge. Classes are free. Registration is required for each class. For more information, visit stoneridgelibrary.org or call 845687-7023.
The Music Fan Series presents ‘Ronnie’s’ – sponsored by Lydia’s Café “Ronnie’s” is the vibrant documentary of the famed London jazz club and the fascinating but troubled man who created the legendary place, Ronnie Scott. The film, sponsored by Lydia’s Café of Stone Ridge, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at the Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main St., Rosendale. Mark Usvolk, who co-owns Lydia’s with his wife, Roni, will introduce the documentary, as he hosts the live jazz shows at the café. Directed by Oliver Murray, “Ronnie’s,” a time-travel into the glory days of jazz, features clips of performances by past musical greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Nina Simone, Van Morrison, Chet Baker and Jimi Hendrix. Admission is $10/$6 members. Vaccine proof and masks required. Visit rosendaletheatre.org or call 845-658-8989 for info.
British jazz musician Ronnie Scott (19271997) outside his famous jazz club, Ronnie Scott’s, on Frith Street, Soho, London, 1985. Photo by Terry O’Neill
The cast of “The Mystery of the Alien Invasion”
Murder Café interactive whodunit, ‘The Mystery of the Alien Invasion’ In celebration of its 24th year in operation, Murder Café of Rosendale, in collaboration with the Pine Bush UFO and Paranormal Museum, presents its original interactive whodunit, “The Mystery of the Alien Invasion.” This dinner theater performance will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the Town of Crawford Senior and Community Center in Pine Bush. The cast features Jim Keenen, Tom Roberts, Dan Anderson, Marisa Gorsline, Nanette Ayers, Kim Schneeberger, Ellen Pavloff and Lauren Roberts, who also directs the performance. John Piergiorgi is the company’s sound and lighting director. “It’s 1954 and an extraterrestrial space-
ship has landed in Pine Bush during a meeting of Americans Against Saucer Secrecy,” explained Roberts of the play. “Dr. E.T. Mars, the convention's speaker, will seize the opportunity to claim that UFOs not only exist, but that an invasion is approaching.” The entertainment is interactive, suitable for all ages, with costumes encouraged but not required, and possible prizes for guesses for the “whodunit.” Tickets, $55 per person, include a threecourse dinner prepared by Jace and Bailys of Pine Bush, and can be purchased by visiting pinebushmuseum.com. For information call 845-475-7973 or visit murdercafe.net.
‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ and Pride dance party In celebration of Pride 2022, an icon of queer cinema returns to the big screen. “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” will be shown at 7 p.m. Friday, June 24, at the Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main St., Rosendale. Resplendent in flamboyant ball gowns, looking down over the vast red Australian desert, for three showgirls (Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce) it was the dream of a lifetime, a four-week cabaret engagement in remote Alice Springs. The problem is simply getting there intact, along with their battered, pink tour bus, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. It’s not easy being a drag queen in the Outback! With over-the-top, Academy Award-winning costume design and a soundtrack of classics including Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and ABBA’s “Mamma Mia,” “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” is a comedy that celebrates community. After the film everyone is invited to
With a contract to perform a drag show out in the Australian desert, Tick (Hugo Weaving), Adam (Guy Pearce) and Bernadette (Terrance Stamp) each have their own reason for wanting to leave the safety of Sydney.
shake a tail feather on the theater’s fabulous new dance floor, at the 9 p.m. dance party. $20/$15 members movie and dance party, or $10/$6 members for dance party only. For more information, visit rosendaletheatre.org or call 845-658-8989.
Volunteers needed for Rosendale St. Fest, information session June 18 The Music Festival of Rosendale is a not-for-profit, grassroots citizen organization that comes together to continue the legendary Rosendale Street Festival for the multiple benefits it offers to the community. Each July, the festival is held on Main Street, Rosendale, for two days to boost the local economy and community interaction. “It’s great to bring the festival back this year,” said Carrie Wykoff, the festival co-chair. “Unfortunately, we had a forced two-year break due to the pandemic. Volunteers run the festival, and we need some help to make this year’s festival a success." An information session will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, June 18, at the Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main St., Rosendale, for the Festival being held on Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17. An overview of the event will be given, and people will have the opportunity to ask questions and sign up for volunteer shifts. The festival will need help with promotions, sign placement, a vendor crew, parking, stage management, musician transport, hospitality and greeters. Volunteer opportunities can also be seen at https://bit.ly/RSFhelp2022. “The Rosendale Street Festival is a fantastic event for the whole family,” said musician and festival co-chair Charlie Kniceley. “We offer all styles of music, showcasing some of the best in the Hudson Valley. We are indebted to all the musicians, business owners and volunteers.” For more information, visit rosendalestreetfestival.org.
Every Monday, Tuesday and Saturday at the Redwing Blackbird Theater in Rosendale Join the community at the Redwing Blackbird Theater, 413 Main St., Rosendale, 4-6 p.m. Saturdays (June 18, and 25) for the Punch Opera Hand Puppet Show, workshops and museum tours; 5-7 p.m. Mondays (June 21 and 28) for open workshops to create, paint and prepare puppets and signage for events; and 5-7 Tuesdays (June 23 and 30) for group rehearsal for upcoming gigs. The group is always looking for people to join for shows, parades and marches. For more information, visit redwingblackbirdtheater.com or call 845-658-7651.
Bloomington Fire Department Food Truck Festival Enjoy live music, great food, 50/50 raffles, beer, wine and bottled water sold by the Bloomington Fire Department at their Food Truck Festival, 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, June 21 (rain date June 28), at 14 Taylor St., Bloomington. For more information, call 845-532-7110.
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Town of Marbletown Rondout Municipal Center 1925 Lucas Avenue, Cottekill, NY marbletown.net 845-687-7500 Town Board June 21 @ 6:00pm Zoning Board of Appeals June 22 @ 6:00pm Housing Committee June 28 @ 7:00pm Town Board July 5 @ 6:00pm Planning Board July 11 @ 6:00pm MPIC July 12 @ 5:00pm Environmental Conservation July 13 @ 7:00pm Historic Preservation July 14 @ 6:00pm
Town of Rosendale All meetings held at Rondout Municipal Center unless otherwise noted, 1915 Lucas Avenue, Cottekill, NY townofrosendale.com 845-658-3159 Zoning Board of Appeals June 21 @ 7:00pm Police Commission June 28 @ 3:30pm Town Board Workshop July 6 @ 7:00pm Town Board July 13 @ 7:00pm Planning Board July 14 @ 7:00pm
Sales and Events
Economic Development July 20 @ 5:30pm
Estate Sale 33 Stokes Way High Falls 12440 Friday 6/24 9-4 & Saturday 6/25 9-2
Recreation Commission July 20 @ 7:15pm
Town of Rochester All meetings held at Rochester Town Hall unless otherwise noted 50 Scenic Road, Accord, NY Historic Preservation June 20 @ 2:00pm
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Enviromental Conservation June 26 @ 6:00pm Town Board Audit June 30 @ 6:00pm Town Board Workshop June 30 @ 7:00pm Town Board Regular Meeting July 7 @ 6:30pm Historic Preservation July 18 @ 2:00pm Recreation Commission July 20 @ 9:30am Zoning Board July 21 @ 7:00pm
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